SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office

Harry Cohen: To ask the Solicitor-General what discussions the Government's law officers have had with representatives of Customs and Excise about the merits of revised legal and evidential arrangements in complex and expensive fraud cases involving tax; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The new Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was created on 18 April 2005. RCPO is accountable to the Attorney-General and responsible for the prosecution of HM Revenue and Customs cases in England and Wales. The director of RCPO, David Green QC, meets regularly with the Law Officers to discuss the work of the new department. These discussions cover matters of policy and strategy arising from new developments in the law, and also the progress of the department's most serious cases, including complex VAT frauds.

Correspondence

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Solicitor-General when he will answer the letter from Mr. H. R. Johnson of 18 March 2005, a constituent of the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: I am told my office has no record of receiving a letter dated 18 March 2005 from Mr. H. R. Johnson. However, I will consider a response if the hon. Member sends me a copy of the letter.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Africa

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to encourage African Governments to tackle corruption.

Hilary Benn: Corruption is a symptom of poor governance. DFID supports a range of governance reforms to tackle corruption, for example through programmes to improve public financial management and judicial and parliamentary oversight. DFID has also provided technical and financial support to dedicated anti-corruption commissions in Uganda, Sierra Leone, Malawi and Zambia. We are also working with our G8 partners to tackle corruption, for example through the G8 transparency initiative, which focuses particularly on budget and procurement reform. Nigeria is a pilot country.

Africa

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid was donated by the United Kingdom to each African country per head of population in the last financial year; and what ranking the Government apply to the relative poverty of African countries.

Hilary Benn: The UK reports to the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) on overall UK development assistance by calendar rather than financial year. The following table sets out the amount of UK overseas development assistance to each African country for the calendar year 2003. These are the most recent figures available 1 . The table is ranked by the amount of UK overseas development assistance received per head of population.
	The Department for International Development's 16 target countries in Africa are highlighted in the table. DFID includes a measure of relative poverty in the financial model which informs the allocation of development assistance to these sixteen countries—specifically gross national income (GNI) per capita, progress towards the millennium development goals and economic vulnerability.
	1 Information source:
	Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development Development Assistance Co-operation (OECD DAC) Online and World Development Report (WDI) Online.
	
		UK Net oda to Africa in 2003
		
			   £ millions £ sterling 
			  Population UK Net ODA UK ODA per head of population 
		
		
			 Sierra Leone 5,336,568 33.64 6.304 
			 Malawi 10,962,010 68.02 6.205 
			 Tanzania 35,888,960 174.82 4.871 
			 Ghana 20,669,260 80.38 3.889 
			 Zambia 10,402,960 40.35 3.879 
			 Rwanda 8,395,000 26.26 3.128 
			 Zimbabwe 13,101,750 36.07 2.753 
			 Uganda 25,280,000 64.09 2.535 
			 Mozambique 18,791,420 38.81 2.065 
			 Benin 6,720,250 12.94 1.926 
			 Lesotho 1,792,744 3.14 1.752 
			 South Africa 45,828,700 75.27 1.642 
			 Kenya 31,915,850 48.63 1.524 
			 Liberia 3,373,542 4.67 1.385 
			 Namibia 2,014,546 1.78 0.885 
			 Swaziland 1,105,525 0.85 0.770 
			 Cameroon 16,087,470 10.99 0.683 
			 Congo, Rep. 3,757,263 2.43 0.647 
			 Angola 13,522,110 8.44 0.624 
			 Eritrea 4,389,500 2.67 0.608 
			 Mauritius 1,222,188 0.74 0.606 
			 Sudan 33,545,730 20.22 0.603 
			 Ethiopia 68,613,470 38.53 0.562 
			 Botswana 1,722,468 0.70 0.405 
			 Gambia 1,420,895 0.57 0.401 
			 Mauritania 2,847,869 1.00 0.351 
			 Burundi 7,205,982 2.15 0.298 
			 Congo Dem.Rep. (Zaire) 53,153,360 13.88 0.261 
			 Somalia 9,625,918 2.17 0.225 
			 Nigeria 136,461,000 26.08 0.191 
			 Madagascar 16,893,900 3.10 0.183 
			 Guinea 7,908,905 1.29 0.163 
			 Chad 8,581,741 1.00 0.116 
			 Cote d'lvoire 16,835,420 1.31 0.078 
			 Togo 4,861,493 0.26 0.053 
			 Senegal 10,239,850 0.41 0.040 
			 Egypt 67,559,040 2.17 0.032 
			 Niger 11,762,250 0.27 0.023 
			 Algeria 31,832,610 0.48 0.015 
			 Mali 11,651,500 0.13 0.011 
			 Burkina Faso 12,109,230 0.07 0.006 
			 Cape Verde 469,681 0.00 0.000 
			 Central African Rep. 3,880,847 0.00 0.000 
			 Comoros 600,142 0.00 0.000 
			 Djibouti 705,480 0.00 0.000 
			 Gabon 1,344,433 0.00 0.000 
			 Guinea-Bissau 1,489,209 0.00 0.000 
			 Morocco 30,112,640 0.00 0.000 
			 Sao Tome and Principe 157,400 0.00 0.000 
			 Tunisia 9,895,201 0.00 0.000 
		
	
	Date: 8 June 2005
	Source:
	DAC Online and WDI Online

Antiretroviral Drugs

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on progress in making available generic antiretroviral drugs at reasonable prices for the treatment of AIDS in poor countries.

Gareth Thomas: In December 2004, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that 700,000 people living in developing countries were receiving antiretroviral treatment for HIV compared to 400,000 in June 2004. Reductions in the prices of antiretroviral combination therapy have been a key element in this increase. Competition from generic versions of HIV drugs has been important in reducing drug prices, along with action by pharmaceutical companies to reduce prices for proprietary medicines. The UK supports the rights, consistent with international agreements on trade and intellectual property, of developing countries to make informed decisions on the purchase and use of generic HIV drugs to meet their treatment needs.
	The WHO will release an updated report on access to HIV treatment in developing countries at the end of June, when progress in reaching the target of three million people on treatment by the end of 2005 can be assessed, including the role of generic drugs.

Botswana

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what foreign aid has been given by the UK to Botswana since 1997.

Hilary Benn: UK foreign aid to Botswana between 1997 and 2003 was worth £28.3 million, either channelled through bilateral aid or multilateral institutions such as the European Union, United Nations and the World Bank. DFID's programmes focused on capacity building and policy development in areas such as animal production and range management, support to civil society and HIV/AIDS. UK aid to Botswana has declined over time owing to DFID's commitment to give 90 per cent. of its bilateral aid to low income countries, with only 10 per cent. going to middle income countries like Botswana. The table gives a breakdown of annual figures up to 2003–04, the last year for which figures are available.
	
		£ million
		
			 Period Bilateral aid Multilateral contributions Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 4.0 5.9 9.9 
			 1998–99 3.1 3.0 6.1 
			 1999–2000 3.0 1.6 4.6 
			 2000–01 2.4 0.9 3.3 
			 2001–02 2.0 0.2 2.2 
			 2002–03 1.4 0.1 1.5 
			 2003–04 0.7 Not available(1) 0.7 
		
	
	(1)The 2003 multilateral share figures are currently being calculated and will be available at the beginning of July 2005.

Botswana

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance the Government are providing to help tackle HIV/AIDS in Botswana.

Hilary Benn: UK Government assistance for HIV/AIDS prevention and control in Botswana has been provided through a grant of £7.6 million to the Southern African Development Community. The grant is for the period 2001 to 2006 and is for assistance in Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho.
	Given the existing heavy emphasis by the Government of Botswana and international donors upon treatment, DFID has concentrated its support upon prevention. DFID has been working to improve the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, encourage programmes aimed at changing behaviour, increase access to male and female condoms, and to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health and groups that represent HIV positive people.
	
		Resources from the total have been allocated to Botswana specifically as follows
		
			  Area of support project  Organisations supported Total Budget (£) 
		
		
			 National AIDS programme strengthening and support to people living with HIV/AIDS Ministry of Health; Botswana Network of People living with AIDS 320,000 
			 STD management Ministry of Health; Private practitioners 230,000 
			 Behaviour change communication Ministry of Health; National AIDS Council; Botswana National Youth Council; Media 294,000 
			 Social marketing of condoms Population Services International 830,000 
			 Total  1,674,000

Counter-terrorism

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) proportion and (b) amount of his Department's resource budget was spent on counter-terrorism measures in (i) Africa, (ii)Afghanistan, (iii) Pakistan, (iv) the Philippines, (v) the remaining South and East Asia and Pacific countries and (vi) all other countries in each year since 2001–02.

Hilary Benn: DFID resources are not spent on direct counter-terrorism measures. Under the International Development Act (2002), development assistance must be used for the purpose of furthering sustainable development in countries outside of the UK or improving the welfare of the population of such countries.
	However, DFID's work on poverty reduction indirectly benefits global security. Terrorist leaders can exploit the issue of poverty as a means of mobilising popular support and legitimising their actions. Many of the structural factors that increase the risk of terrorism also matter for development: unmet political and economic aspirations, lack of jobs for skilled labour, weak states and poor governance. DFID support to poverty reduction, good governance, social inclusion and education in many poor countries helps to reduce the risk of terrorism.
	DFID has no bilateral programme in the Philippines.

Darfur

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what additional support the UK will offer the African Union to ensure safe delivery of humanitarian aid in Darfur.

Hilary Benn: I refer my hon. Friend to the ministerial statement I issued earlier today. The UK has significantly increased its support to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), with commitments now totalling almost £32 million. This will help enable AMIS to fulfill its mandate to: ensure people in Darfur live in more peaceful and secure conditions; monitor and report on alleged violations of the ceasefire; and contribute to a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian relief.

Iraq

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentages of households in Iraq have access to (a) clean water and (b) electricity.

Hilary Benn: The most recent reliable source of data on living standards in Iraq is the Iraq living Conditions Survey 2004" conducted by the Iraqi Central Office for Statistics and Information Technology in April and May 2004. The following information is drawn from this survey which can be found at http://www.iq.undp.org/ILCS/overview.htm.
	Access to clean water in Iraq varies significantly between urban and rural areas. In urban areas, 66 per cent. of households have reliable, safe drinking water; 33 per cent. have access to safe water but the supply is unreliable; and 1 per cent. of urban households are receiving unsafe drinking water. In rural areas, 43 per cent. of Iraqi households have reliable access to safe drinking water, 22 per cent. have access to safe drinking water but the supply is unreliable, and 34 per cent. have access only to unsafe drinking water.
	Almost all Iraqi households are connected to an electricity network, with little variance between urban and rural areas. However, only 15 per cent. of households report their electricity supply to be reliable: 85 per cent. of households experienced low voltage supply or a supply of less than 12 hours per day. 31 per cent. of households use a private generator to improve their access to electricity.
	DFID has committed over £70 million to infrastructure programmes in southern Iraq which are helping to improve water and electricity supplies for more than 5 million people. DFID is providing advisers to work with the Ministry of Electricity in Baghdad on developing a national energy strategy. Water and electricity projects are also being financed by other donors, including the USA, Japan, the United Nations and the World Bank, as well as from Iraq's own budget.

Ivory Coast

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in what ways the Government are working with the Government of the Ivory Coast to tackle its debt.

Hilary Benn: The UK has cancelled 100 per cent. of aid loans to the Co(r)te D'Ivoire under Retrospective Terms Adjustment (RTA). To date, this amounts to £2,562,000. Co(r)te D'Ivoire's outstanding balance of aid loans owed to the UK amounts to £862,000, which will be cancelled (under RTA) as they fall due.
	The UK actively supports the progress of eligible countries through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, for example by supporting development of their debt management capacity under the HIPC Capacity Building Project. Since 1997–98, the UK has written off approximately £16.2 million of Co(r)te D'Ivoire's debt under Paris Club agreements. Co(r)te D'Ivoire's outstanding balance to the Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD) currently stands at £18.9 million. Once the Co(r)te D'Ivoire reaches Decision Point, it will begin to receive interim relief on this debt, and would receive 100 per cent. relief from UK at Completion Point.
	Co(r)te D'Ivoire's outstanding balance to the Commonwealth Development Corporation currently stands at just under £13,000,000. This would be suspended once Co(r)te D'Ivoire reaches Decision Point, and cancelled at Completion Point.
	Due to the civil conflict in Co(r)te D'Ivoire the country is currently off-track on the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) programme, which has meant that progress towards meeting the HIPC Decision Point conditions has been delayed.
	The United Kingdom is working closely with the international community in support of a durable political settlement in the Co(r)te d'Ivoire. During 2004–05, DFID also provided £1.55 million in humanitarian assistance through international agencies and non-governmental organisations working there. DFID is continuing to monitor the humanitarian situation and is planning to provide £2 million in humanitarian assistance in 2005–06.

Malawi

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he has taken to reduce Malawi's dependency on the tobacco crop.

Hilary Benn: I refer my hon. Friend to the responses I gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) on 21 February 2005, Official Report, column 388W.

Nigeria

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations the Government have made to the Nigerian Government on corruption; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The need for serious action against corruption has been a central feature of the UK's discussion with the Nigerian Government.
	President Obasanjo has personally spearheaded a campaign to tackle corruption and is showing resolve in tackling the problems, but he faces significant challenges. There are strong vested interests working against him. We have commended him for his action and in particular for the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which was responsible for the recent arrest of the Inspector General of Police, and for the investigations leading to the dismissal of the Senate President and Education Minister. Nigeria is also implementing the extractive industries transparency initiative.

Nigeria

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to assist in raising living standards in Nigeria.

Hilary Benn: Nigeria is the biggest country in Africa in terms of population, and one of the poorest. It is also the least aided in terms of development assistance per capita. It has appalling human development indicators, reflecting decades of mismanagement and corruption by military dictatorships. The administration of President Obasanjo is now making progress and has developed a good poverty reduction strategy, the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS). The UK has doubled the size of our programme from £35 million in 2003–04 to £70 million this year. We plan to increase it further to £100 million, reflecting the progress being made by the federal Government in starting to tackle poverty and in tackling corruption. The UK has also been supporting the case at for debt relief for Nigeria.

Overseas Aid

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the (a) transparency and (b) accountability of his Department's aid programme to the developed countries.

Hilary Benn: DFID's programme is aimed at helping developing countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Both DFID and our partner governments must be accountable for the way we use UK public resources to pursue this aim. We must be fully transparent about the way resources are spent; and we must be accountable for results both to the UK Parliament and public, and to the governments and citizens of our partner countries.
	To ensure transparency of its policies and plans, DFID publishes details of its work in our Annual Departmental Report, and in a wide range of other documents openly available on our website www.dfid.gov.uk.
	To ensure our accountability for delivering results, DFID has a clear public service agreement (PSA), which assesses the contribution made by DFID to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. DFID reports twice a year on progress against the PSA.
	To ensure transparency and accountability in the way our resources are spent in partner countries, DFID applies robust programme and financial management, and audit systems, for resources we administer directly. Where DFID provides resources for partner Governments or non-government agencies to use through their own systems, we conduct thorough risk assessments of the robustness of these systems, and work with partners to strengthen these systems where necessary. All DFID projects and programmes are subject to audit—either by partner Government audit systems, or through independent audit. DFID's overall expenditure is subject to audit by the UK National Audit Office.

Sierra Leone

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to encourage development in Sierra Leone.

Hilary Benn: The UK Government's commitment of support to Sierra Leone is set out in a 10 year agreement, signed in November 2002. The key areas of our programme are security sector reform, governance reform including public administration reform, decentralisation, public financial management, diamond sector reform, anti-corruption measures, private sector development and budgetary support. DFID has committed £120 million to the first three years of the agreement.
	A particular feature of the agreement is the inclusion of performance benchmarks agreed between the UK Government and the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), which commit the GoSL to reforms in exchange for our support. Quarterly reviews of progress against the performance benchmarks are held with Sierra Leone authorities.
	The UK is the largest bilateral donor to Sierra Leone. DFID works closely with other donors as members of the Development Partners Committee, which regularly brings together the Government of Sierra Leone and donors to discuss progress on development issues.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance the Government are providing to alleviate debt in sub-Saharan African countries.

Hilary Benn: The UK Government are committed to the goal of 100 per cent. debt relief for poor countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. We continue to press for the rapid and full implementation of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. This initiative is delivering real benefits to some of the world's poorest countries. To date, over $70 billion in debt relief is being provided to 27 countries, including 23 in Sub-Saharan Africa, reducing their debts by around two-thirds on average, and freeing up resources for spending on poverty reduction.
	The UK goes beyond the HIPC Initiative and writes off 100 per cent. of bilateral debts for HIPC countries and holds in trust any debt service payments received from HIPC countries that have not yet qualified for debt relief, to be returned for spending on poverty reduction once they qualify. In addition, the UK has pledged a further $479 million to finance the multilateral institutions' participation in HIPC (HIPC Trust Fund and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
	Despite the successes of the HIPC initiative, the UK believes that we must go further still. At present, many donors have joined the UK in providing 100 per cent. bilateral relief, but multilateral institutions currently provide relief at around half this level. The UK has therefore launched a major new initiative for relief of 100 per cent. multilateral debt. We have committed to pay our share (10 per cent.) of debt service payments owed to the most concessional lending arms of the World Bank and African Development Bank on behalf of eligible countries, and are lobbying other countries to join us in providing full relief. Canada (paying 4 per cent.) and the Netherlands (2.6 per cent.) have already announced that they will participate. We are also urging the IMF to consider options for financing its share of 100 per cent. relief.
	We are extending this multilateral debt relief to all countries that have formally completed the HIPC process and all other IDA-only (i.e. eligible to borrow only from the most concessional lending arm World Bank) low-income countries with suitably strong public expenditure management systems to ensure that the savings are directed towards poverty reduction. 14 Sub-Saharan African countries are currently eligible to benefit from this initiative and will receive multilateral debt relief from the UK of over £340 million through to 2015. More countries will become eligible for assistance as they meet the public financial management eligibility criteria.
	In addition, the UK also actively supports the progress of eligible countries through the HIPC initiative, for example building their debt management capacity with technical assistance under the HIPC capacity building project as well as in-country support for the necessary reforms and poverty reduction planning processes that are essential for achievement of HIPC completion point.
	Non-HIPC countries that are having difficulties servicing their bilateral debts are able to approach the Paris Club for relief. The Paris Club—an informal group of official creditors—assesses countries' debt levels and provides appropriate treatment by postponing, and in some cases reducing, debt service obligations. The UK is currently committed to working through the Paris Club to help find a fair and sustainable solution to Nigeria's debt problems.

Trade Relations

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what opportunities his Department offers African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to choose between the EU Economic Partnership Agreement model and their own voluntary agreements in respect of trade relations.

Gareth Thomas: The Cotonou partnership agreement, signed in June 2000 between the European Union and the African Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP), foresees the negotiation of a series of World Trade Organisation (WTO) compatible trading arrangements between the parties—Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). The Cotonou agreement also states that alternatives should be provided to ACP countries that do not want to join these EPAs with the EU. In any alternative, the ACP countries should receive no worse market access to the EU than their existing situation. The ACP have requested a review of alternatives to take place in 2006, rather than 2004 as anticipated in Cotonou. Since it is the EU that will have to present the alternative options, DFID will work with other UK Government Departments and the European Commission to ensure that alternatives are presented for any countries that do not want to be part of the EPAs.
	The primary alternative to EPAs is a reformed generalised system of preferences (GSP), a non-contractual trade arrangement which the EU already offers to all developing countries, not just the ACP. DFID has supported research on the reforms which would be needed to make the GSP a viable alternative to EPAs. This research has been made public to inform negotiators' positions in both the ACP and the EU.
	Another alternative for any ACP country not wishing to sign an EPA, would be to enter into a bilateral free trade agreement with the EU. Although the individual ACP country would have greater scope to tailor the provisions of the agreement to its specific needs, a single country could be in a much weaker negotiating position with the EU than with a regional grouping, as in the case of EPAs.

Zimbabwe

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to assist in tackling HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: DFID is giving priority to tackling HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. The country is one of the worst affected in the world, with over 3,000 AIDS-related deaths per week; 25 per cent. of the adult population infected; life expectancy now well below 40 years; and over a million orphans. There is not enough money for the fight against AIDS in Zimbabwe with relatively little international assistance.
	DFID is one of the main donors supporting AIDS prevention programmes in Zimbabwe, such as supplying condoms and support for voluntary counselling and testing centres. DFID also supports large-scale home-based care programmes for households affected by AIDS, implemented through NGOs. Through UN and NGO partners, we are developing plans to expand anti-retroviral treatment and support for orphans and vulnerable children. Annual spending on this programme has averaged about £8 million over the past few years. We intend to double this in the near future.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in how many security incidents members of UK armed forces have been involved in Afghanistan since December 2004.

Adam Ingram: United Kingdom armed forces personnel regularly conduct patrols, which contribute to the security situation in Kabul and Northern Afghanistan. They have not been the subject of any insurgency action since December 2004.

Afghanistan

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency measures his Department has in place to support UK armed forces personnel based in Afghanistan, in the event of a deterioration in the security situation there.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom currently has forces serving in both the International Security Assistance Force and in the US led coalition. We are confident that each organisation has capabilities that meet the current security requirements. NATO, the coalition and the United Kingdom constantly monitor the security situation and plan accordingly. All have capabilities available to operate in Afghanistan should any change in the security situation warrant a change to the level and nature of the international forces serving there.

Apache Helicopters

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the suitability of the Apache attack helicopter to carry out the (a) search and rescue and (b) other roles of the Lynx helicopter;
	(2)  what roles the Apache helicopter fleet will perform in addition to its anti-tank and ground attack roles;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to maintain the Royal Navy's search and rescue capability when Lynx helicopters are replaced by Apaches.

Adam Ingram: A 24 hour military and civil Search and Rescue (SAR) service around the UK is presently provided by RAF, Royal Navy and Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopters to assist people in distress. Although the Lynx can be used for SAR if required, it is not designed for that role. This role is undertaken by the larger Sea King which is due to remain in service after the withdrawal of the current Lynx.
	Limits on the range, endurance and cabin size of any small helicopter prevent them being the ideal platform for SAR. In the military operational environment however, any passenger carrying helicopter such as the Lynx, Merlin or Chinook can be used to rescue personnel if required. The Apache is not a passenger helicopter and therefore there are no plans to use it for either the civilian SAR or military rescue requirements.
	Currently the main roles of the Army Lynx are attack, reconnaissance, control of firepower and movement of personnel and equipment. The primary role for the Apache is as an attack platform (anti-tank and ground attack). In addition, if required, it can also carry out the control of firepower (artillery and close air support) and Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) tasks that are currently undertaken by the Army Lynx.

Armed Forces (Recruitment)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recruitment rates to the armed forces.

Don Touhig: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer Igave on 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 463W, to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Dunne).

Armed Forces (Recruitment)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Government are taking to encourage young people to join the armed forces.

Don Touhig: All three services undertake numerous and varied initiatives, both at national and local level, aimed at increasing the level of recruitment to the armed forces. Included among the many current initiatives are:
	The use of multi-media advertising campaigns.
	Services' recruiting teams' attendance at schools, careers fairs and graduate recruitment seminars, road shows, exhibitions, youth clubs and organisations.
	Work experience placements within service establishments.
	Personal development courses and look at life courses for young people who express an interest in the armed forces.
	Taster day visits to HM ships and service establishments.
	A dedicated careers website for each of the services.
	An Army 'on-line' recruiting office.
	Specialist diversity recruiting and action teams aimed at promoting armed forces careers among the United Kingdom's ethnic minority and faith communities.
	A partnership with the 'Jobcentre Plus' making use of its network of local outlets.

British Infantry (Response Capability)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defencewhat assessment he has made of the ability of the British infantry to respond to additional urgent deployments.

Adam Ingram: The Infantry is structured to ensure that we have forces of appropriately high readiness in place to meet urgent contingent operations.

Consultants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many consultants were employed by his Department in each of the last three years; and what their names were.

Don Touhig: Specific data on the number and names of consultants employed is not held within the Ministry of Defence. However, I can advise that summaries of MOD expenditure on External Assistance, of which consultancy is a part, are available in the Libraries of both Houses for the years 1995–96 to 2003–04.

DC10/TriStar Fleets

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Royal Air Force DC10 and TriStar fleets to be phased out-of-service.

Adam Ingram: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the VC 10; the RAF does not have any DC10 aircraft in its inventory. On current plans the VC 10 and TriStar fleets will reach their out of service dates towards the middle of the next decade.

Departmental Estate

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those sites in England and Wales within his responsibility which have been identified as surplus to requirements; what plans have been identified as to their possible future use; what consultative process will be followed in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: Details of Ministry of Defence properties and land currently listed for disposal are available in the Library of the House. It should be noted however that the need to retain such properties and land is constantly under review. Consequently the sites in disposal change frequently. The list is generally updated quarterly.
	Whenever it is decided that the Ministry of Defence has no further need for any particular site, it is our policy to consult widely, with English Partnerships, local authorities and all other interested parties, before deciding as to their possible future uses. These are, of course, often specific to individual sites and can relate to their size, location or the nature of any facilities present.

First World War Veterans

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department has received from the facility at Hayes relating to the award of medals to servicemen and women from the First World War; and what plans his Department has for the future storage of the index cards stored there.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence has received no representation from the former TNT archive at Hayes about the award of medals to servicemen and women from the First World War.
	The index cards to the First World War Army medal rolls are already preserved in a microfilmed format and available to researchers at The National Archives (in Class WO 372) and through the National Archives website online. The microfilming process captured the information held on the front of the cards, all but a very small percentage of the backs of the cards being blank.
	The Ministry of Defence has no further administrative use for the cards and, with The National Archives, has actively sought to identify a suitable institution prepared to accept the original cards, understanding the value attached to such records by many people. The Imperial War Museum has accepted the women's cards and the remainder of the collection has been transferred into the custody of the Western Front Association.

Freedom of Information

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many requests his Department received under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 up to 30 April; in how many cases no substantive information has been provided; and what the average time taken to respond to such requests is.

Don Touhig: Up to 30 April the Ministry of Defence had logged 2,237 requests under the Freedom of Information Act. MOD reports its performance quarterly to the Department for Constitutional Affairs and an assessment of the outcomes for the first three months of 2005 has been completed. DCA will be publishing robust statistics on FOI requests and outcomes for the first three months of operation of FOI at the end of this month and every subsequent quarter.
	Outcomes for April, including timeliness and numbers of requests refused, have not yet been collected and verified. MOD does not collect data for the purpose of calculating the average time taken to respond. The emphasis is rather on determining whether the Department has responded within the statutory requirements of the FOI Act.

Gurkhas

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects a decision to be made on whether to allow full rights of accompanied service to the wives of Gurkha soldiers.

Don Touhig: I refer the hon. Member to the Statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 11 January 2005, Official Report, column 10WS. We expect to make an announcement about Gurkha Married Accompanied Service this summer.

Medical Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has used (a) agency nurses and other medical specialists and (b) Frontier Medical staff in (i) Iraq and (ii) any other country where UK armed forces are deployed to augment UK military units.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence has used a small number of agency nurses and other medical specialists, including from Frontier Medical, to fill specific operational posts in Iraq and Bosnia when there has been a temporary shortfall, or to reduce the frequency of deployment of some specialist capabilities.

NATO

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work NATO is undertaking in connection with capability where there is no host nation support; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: NATO is continuing to pursue improvements to the availability of Combat Support and Combat Service Support through the Prague Capabilities Commitment and the force planning process. In particular, NATO's Logistics Force Planning Advisory Committee is working towards better clarification of the logistics capabilities made available by allies, and encouraging the creation of better balanced force structures. This will further enhance the deployability and sustainability of NATO forces for expeditionary operations, thereby reducing its reliance on host nation support.
	The NATO Response Force—which is due to achieve Full Operational Capability by October 2006—will provide a rapidly deployable, stand alone force capable of sustaining itself using embedded logistic capabilities for up to one month without host nations support, or for longer if re-supplied.

NATO

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will define the roles of the NATO Response Force.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 9 June 2005
	The primary role of the NATO Response Force is to provide a rapid response in the initial phase of a crisis. On achieving Full Operational Capability by October 2006, NATO expects it to be capable of deploying as a stand alone force for crisis response across a range of potential scenarios (peacekeeping or embargo operations, for example); as an initial entry force to facilitate the arrival of follow-on forces; and as a force package that demonstrates the resolve of member nations.

Natural Disasters (Military Assistance)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for International Development and (b) others, about improving the effectiveness of MOD assets in assisting with natural disasters around the world in the light of the experience gained from the recent tsunami; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: During the Government response to the tsunami, DFID and Ministry of Defence officials worked extremely closely and productively on the disaster relief effort, the United Kingdom armed forces providing a range of niche capabilities, including airlift, which achieved much in the affected area. Our guiding principle for this operation and for any such future response is that the armed forces will task the most appropriate assets to meet the requirement, as defined by DFID.
	As is routine after any operation, the MOD has conducted a review in order to identify what improvements we could make in any such future operation. DFID has been fully involved in this process. In addition, MOD is fully engaged in the Government's efforts to support reform of the UN and EU humanitarian co-ordination mechanisms.

Naval Auxiliary Ships

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether naval auxiliary ships are required to go through the EU tendering process for construction and fitting out.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 9 June 2005
	Where auxiliary vessels are regarded as warlike" MOD takes the view that such vessels are exempt from the EU procurement directives on competition.

Private Finance Projects

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the private finance initiative and public private partnership projects his Department is undertaking; and what the status of each is.

Adam Ingram: Using the HM Treasury definitions of private finance initiative and public private partnerships, the PFI and PPP projects in which the Ministry of Defence is currently engaged, and their operational status are as follows:
	
		
			 Project name Status of project 
		
		
			 Storage Facilities Operational 
			 TAFMIS (IT) Operational 
			 Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) Operational 
			 Hazardous Stores Information System (HSIS) Operational 
			 Electronic Messaging System (Armymail) Operational 
			 Defence Fixed Telecommunications Service (DFTS) Operational 
			 Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) Operational 
			 Hawk Simulator Operational 
			 Tidworth Water and Sewerage Operational 
			 RAF Lossiemouth Family Quarters Operational 
			 Joint Services Command and Staff College Operational 
			 RAF Lyneham Sewerage Operational 
			 Yeovilton Family Quarters Operational 
			 Attack Helicopters Training Operational 
			 Apache Simulator Training RAF Mail Operational 
			 RAF Fylingdales (Power) Operational 
			 Light Aircraft Flying Training (LAFT) (Bulldog) Operational 
			 RAF Cosford and Shawbury Family Quarters Operational 
			 NRTA Fire Fighting Training Units Operational 
			 Defence Intelligence System (DIS)/Information System (Touchstone) Operational 
			 Tornado GR4 Simulator Operational 
			 Central Scotland Family Quarters (HQ) Operational 
			 Army Foundation College (AFC) Operational 
			 Main Building Refurbishment Operational 
			 Tri Service Materials Handling Service Operational 
			 Naval Communications Operational 
			 Defence Electronic Commerce Service (DECS) Operational 
			 RAF Sentry E3D Aircrew Operational 
			 Lynx Aircrew Training Operational 
			 Defence Animal Centre (DAC) Operational 
			 Tri Service White Fleet Operational 
			 Commercial Satellite Communication Service— INMARSAT Operational 
			 Wattisham Married Quarters Operational 
			 Defence Housing Executive-Information Systems (DOMIS) Operational 
			 ASTUTE Class Training Service (ACTS) Not yet operational 
			 Bristol, Bath and Portsmouth Family Married Quarters Operational 
			 Heavy Equipment Transporters (HET) Operational 
			 Marine support to Range and Aircrew Services Operational 
			 Material Handling Equipment (MHE)—(Follow on) Operational 
			 Strategic Sealift (Ro-Ro Ferries) Operational 
			 Field Electrical Power Supplies (FEPS) Operational 
			 MOD-wide Water and Waste Water Project (Aquatrine)—Package A Operational 
			 Colchester Not yet operational 
			 Skynet5 Not yet operational 
			 Hayes PFI Project-Records Storage and Management Operational 
			 Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC) Operational 
			 Devonport Support Services ARMADA Not yet operational 
			 MOD-wide Water and Wastewater (Project Aquatrine)—Package B Not yet operational 
			 MOD-wide Water and Wastewater (Project Aquatrine)—Package C Not yet operational

RAF Brize Norton

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which new aircraft will be based at RAF Brize Norton; and what their in-service dates will be.

Adam Ingram: The A400M, the UK's solution for the Future Transport Aircraft (FTA) requirement, is currently planned to enter service at RAF Brize Norton in 2011.
	The Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) contract currently under negotiation with AirTanker Ltd. is based on the firm assumption that the FSTA aircraft are both operated from, and maintained at, RAF Brize Norton. The project is currently in its Assessment Phase and is expected to be introduced into service around the end of the decade.

RAF Brize Norton

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the C130K aircraft based at RAF Lyneham are due to be redeployed to RAF Brize Norton.

Adam Ingram: I informed the House on 4 July 2003, Official Report, column 38WS, that the C130K fleet will remain at RAF Lyneham until the aircraft goes out of service by 2012. I also indicated that the Hercules C130J aircraft will relocate from RAF Lyneham to RAF Brize Norton by 2012.

Regimental Uniforms

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the new (a) Mercia, (b) Yorkshire, (c) Scottish and (d) Welsh regiments will each have one mess dress.

Don Touhig: A committee of representatives made up from the respective antecedent regiments has been formed to consider regimental dress and accoutrements requirements of the proposed Mercian Regiment, Yorkshire Regiment, Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Royal Welsh Regiment. It is expected that the committee's decisions will be taken during the second half of 2005. Executive approval from the Army Dress Committee will be required before any announcement is finalised.

RFA Grey Rover

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the decommissioning date for RFA Grey Rover is.

Adam Ingram: The planned decommissioning date is 2006.

Scotia Graphics

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about Scotia Graphics of Coventry regarding the company's performance in delivering photographs to the families of soldiers who have been on passing-out parades; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence is aware of complaints against Scotia Graphics from families of soldiers who have passed out of the Infantry Training Centre Catterick and is sympathetic towards any family whose mementos of a proud occasion may have been lost. Although the Infantry Training Centre Catterick invited Scotia Graphics to offer their services to families attending the pass-out parade, direct responsibility for any failure by Scotia Graphics to deliver services is ultimately a matter between the company and its customers.
	No further invitations will be made to Scotia Graphics.

Territorial Army

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the Territorial Army centres in the north-west of England.

Don Touhig: The Territorial Army is currently being rebalanced to align with the changes to the Regular Army under the Future Army Structures work. We do not anticipate that this will result in significant change to the existing Territorial Army Estate, including in north-west England.

Trafalgar Class Vessels

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which vessels in the Trafalgar Class have been subject to unscheduled operating restrictions in the last 12 months; what the causes were; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Operating restrictions have been applied to two Trafalgar Class submarines in the past 12 months. Since September 2004, restrictions applied to the operation of HMS Torbay and HMS Tireless which prevented them from operating at sea, and they have remained in HMNB Devonport. As responsible nuclear submarine operators, the MOD keeps submarine and nuclear safety under continual review. This process identified a theoretical safety concern that potentially weakened the submarine safety justification for these vessels. It was decided that further work should be conducted to restore full confidence in the safety justification before these two submarines returned to normal operation. At no stage did this issue take the form of a fault or defect within these submarines and the decision to limit their operation was in line with the MOD's requirement to maintain the highest safety standards. The relevant further work on HMS Torbay's safety justification is nearing completion and work to support HMS Tireless' safety justification will be carried out as part of the previously programmed maintenance and upgrade period which she has just entered.

TRANSPORT

Aircraft Insurance Costs

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects of Government regulations on insurance costs for classic aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: Regulation (EC) No 785/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on insurance requirements for air carriers and aircraft operators, which entered into force on 1 May 2005, established minimum levels of passenger and third party insurance for almost all aircraft operating within Community airspace. Privately owned and operated classic aircraft are subject to these requirements which, in some cases, have led to an increase in premium because the amount of third party cover needed is greater than was in place on a voluntary basis before the Regulation came into force. The Government are concerned that this increase might prevent some historic aircraft from participating in commemorative events and has made representations to the European Commission to see if the Regulation can be amended to reduce the scope of the cover required without prejudice to people and property on the ground.

Airlines

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list airlines which have been banned from travelling inside UK airspace.

Karen Buck: Any airline from outside the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland which wishes to pick up or put down passengers or cargo in the UK requires a permit from the Secretary of State for Transport.
	Currently the Secretary of State is refusing or wouldrefuse to issue permits to aircraft operated by the airlines listed below because of evidence that they are not receiving adequate regulatory oversight from their national aviation authorities:
	any airline from Equatorial Guinea
	any airline from Liberia
	any airline from Tajikistan
	any airline from Sierra Leone
	any airline from Democratic Republic of the Congo
	Air Mauritanie (Mauritania)
	any airline from Swaziland.
	In addition, the Secretary of State has suspended the permit of Phuket Airlines (Thailand) because of operational safety concerns.

Airports

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Government's plans are for airport expansion.

Karen Buck: The Future of Air Transport White Paper, published in December 2003, set out a 30-year strategic framework for the development of airport capacity in the United Kingdom.
	It is now for airport owners and operators to bring forward any proposals for specific airport development in the normal way.

Aviation Consultation (South-West)

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and which consultees responded to the Civil Aviation Authority's consultation on the west end airspace development incorporating route changes over Wales and South West England.

Karen Buck: This is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority and I have asked the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.

Bus Shelters

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on replacing, removing or fixing damaged bus shelters in each English region, in each year since 1997.

Karen Buck: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Car Clubs

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to promote the use of car clubs in London.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport has taken a number of initiatives to promote car clubs, both inside and outside London.
	In July 2004, we published Smarter Choices—Changing the Way We Travel". This sets out the findings from a major research project on the impact of a range of measures aimed at reducing traffic levels through encouraging people to choose different modes of travel from single-occupancy car use. The report contains a chapter on the potential effectiveness of car clubs.
	This was followed up in December 2004 with Making Smarter Choices Work". It summarised the main report findings to help local authorities include measures such as car clubs in their local transport strategies. This was published in parallel with the revised Local Transport Plan guidance which included specific advice for local authorities on car clubs.
	We have also published a new, research-based, best practice guide Making Car Sharing and Car Clubs Work" to encourage and help practitioners establish effective car clubs.

Car Clubs

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what research his Department has undertaken into the impact on the number of car journeys of car clubs;
	(2)  what research his Department has undertaken into the (a) trends in and (b) development of formal car-sharing through online systems;
	(3)  what research his Department has conducted into car-sharing schemes; if he will place copies of research findings in the Library; and what plans his Department has to provide guidance for local transport plans relating to car-sharing schemes.

Karen Buck: In July 2004, the Department for Transport published Smarter Choices—Changing the Way We Travel". This sets out the findings from a major research project into the impact of a range of measures aimed at reducing traffic levels through encouraging people to choose different modes of travel from single-occupancy car use. The report contains individual chapters on the potential effectiveness of car sharing and car clubs. Copies of the research are being placed in the Library. Building on the evidence presented in the report, we included specific wording and advice on car sharing and car clubs in the revised Local Transport Plan guidance which we published last December.
	We have also published a new, research-based, best practice guide Making Car Sharing and Car Clubs Work" to encourage and help practitioners establish effective car share schemes and car clubs.

Child Car Safety Seats

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what representations he has received regarding the safety standards for car safety seats for children;
	(2)  if he will take steps in the EU to tighten minimum safety standards for car safety seats for children.

Stephen Ladyman: There has been some recent media interest regarding the safety standards for car safety seats for children. This followed the publication by Which Magazine of a report criticising the performance of certain child restraint systems.
	The Government are already looking at ways of raising the minimum safety standards for car safety seats for children by developing more rigorous seat testing involving side impact.
	The UK has been heavily involved in the development of two test protocols specifically aimed at improving the performance of child seats during side impact. We expect the first of these protocols to be included in a wide ranging review of the European standards that is expected around March 2006. The second is a more demanding side impact protocol that is intended to rank performance for consumer information purposes and is also expected early next year.

Free Bus Travel

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the cost to local authorities of the introduction of free-fare schemes for people aged over 60 years and people who are disabled for local journeys by bus; and whether the cost to local authorities will be fully reimbursed by his Department.

Karen Buck: The Government will provide an extra £350 million in 2006–07 which will be sufficient to fund the cost to local authorities.

Lime Street Station

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has held concerning plans for major internal refurbishment of Lime Street station.

Derek Twigg: Network Rail advises that development of a scheme to enhance the interior of Liverpool Lime Street Station is underway. The current package of works includes the improvement of interchange facilities through the relocation of the taxi pick up point to the Skelhorne street side of the station together with the reconfiguration of the vehicular access and short stay car parking area. This work, costing £1.5 million to be funded by Merseytravel PTE, links into Liverpool's city centre movement strategy which will see a number of alterations to the highway network around the station. It will also free up space at the Lord Nelson street side of the station, allowing the development of improved passenger/retail facilities. This scheme is planned to be ready for Liverpool's tenure as European capital of culture in 2008.
	I understand that Merseytravel and its partners have proposals to further enhance Lime street station as a true gateway to the city by relocating the ticket office and travel centre into Lime street chambers and resurfacing the concourse and platforms.

Lorries

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration his Department has given to issuing permits to operate lorries of 25.5 metres in length.

Stephen Ladyman: My Department has received two applications to trial vehicle trailer combinations that are longer than those currently permitted (18.75m). We are considering the issues surrounding their use in particular their manoeuvrability and the likely effect on other road users, especially those who are more vulnerable. We are also considering the logistical benefits that these vehicles may give the haulage industry, and the impact on road and rail freight movements.

M6

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles on average use the M6 between Stoke and Knutsford on each weekday in the last period for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The average number of vehicles using the M6 between junctions 15 and 19, on each weekday between 2002 and 2004, are provided in the table.
	
		Average 24 hour traffic volume
		
			   2002 2003 
			 Location Direction Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri 
		
		
			 Junction 15 to 16 N/B 53,455 54,104 55,406 59,597 62,837 51,566 54,423 55,966 58,413 62,263 
			  S/B 59,165 55,265 56,118 58,572 59,873 56,931 54,818 55,773 57,023 55,381 
			  Comb. 112,620 109,369 111,524 118,169 122,710 108,497 109,241 111,739 115,436 117,644 
			 
			 Junction. 16 to 17 N/B 56,983 60,727 64,246 65,911 70,008 57,346 61,125 62,799 65,385 70,787 
			  S/B 62,680 60,890 63,140 63,624 63,604 62,673 62,603 61,902 63,754 64,130 
			  Comb. 119,663 121,617 127,386 129,535 133,612 120,019 123,728 124,701 129,139 134,917 
			 
			 Junction 17 to 18 N/B 59,670 62,495 65,011 68,019 72,040 59,260 62,822 64,306 67,211 71,630 
			  S/B 65,383 63,844 65,201 66,268 66,623 64,354 64,177 64,327 65,714 65,765 
			  Comb 125,053 126,339 130,212 134,287 138,663 123,614 126,999 128,633 132,925 137,395 
			 
			 Junction 18 to 19 N/B 58,457 61,002 64,224 66,549 70,542 59,079 62,514 64,024 66,841 71,106 
			  S/B 64,413 62,860 64,793 65,446 65,052 64,142 64,068 63,771 65,378 65,242 
			  Comb. 122,870 123,862 129,017 131,995 135,594 123,221 126,582 127,795 132,219 136,348 
		
	
	
		
			   2004 
			 Location Direction Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri 
		
		
			 Junction 15 to 16 N/B 55,790 59,314 60,790 64,164 66,441 
			  S/B 61,284 60,532 61,127 61,590 61,627 
			  Comb. 117,074 119,846 121,917 125,754 128,068 
			
			 Junction 16 to 17 N/B 61,924 64,861 65,928 67,673 71,873 
			  S/B 65,114 63,899 65,119 65,230 66,724 
			  Comb. 127,038 128,760 131,047 132,903 138,597 
			
			 Junction 17 to 18 N/B 60,279 63,978 65,260 68,052 71,221 
			  S/B 66,234 65,318 66,083 66,382 66,267 
			  Comb 126,513 129,296 131,343 134,434 137,488 
			
			 Junction 18 to 19 N/B 60,882 64,614 65,391 68,438 71,458 
			  S/B 66,985 66,344 67,112 67,214 66,972 
			  Comb. 127,867 130,958 132,503 135,652 138,430

Minicabs

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of unlicensed minicabs operating in each English region.

Karen Buck: The law throughout England and Wales requires that all mini-cabs (formally termed private hire vehicles) and their drivers and operators must be licensed. Local licensing authorities and the police are responsible for enforcement. The Department has made no assessment of the extent of illegal operation.

Mini-motorbikes

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to discourage illegal use of mini-motorbikes on (a) public roads and (b) public spaces; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Powered vehicles (whether internal combustion or electric) are motor vehicles within the meaning of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended. Any powered vehicle used on the public highway must comply with all aspects of road traffic law, including construction requirements, registration, road tax, insurance etc. The rider/driver should hold an appropriate licence and, where required, wear a suitable helmet.
	Enforcement is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police. Powers under the Police Reform Act 2002 allow a constable in uniform, after giving a warning, to stop and seize a motor vehicle if he/she has grounds for believing that it is being used in a careless and inconsiderate manner, or being driven illegally off-road, or being used (or is likely to be used) in an antisocial manner causing harassment, alarm or distress.
	The Department has been advised that the packaging on powered toys such as miniature motorbikes generally includes a warning that the item is not for highway use. However it may be that, once such packaging is discarded, this is overlooked or ignored. We are therefore currently considering whether advice reminding purchasers and others of this issue might usefully be disseminated.

Parking income

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much (a) income was derived from and (b) expenditure was incurred by each local authority on parking in financial years (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05, broken down by (A) charges and (B) penalties.

Karen Buck: Total income and expenditure on parking by local authorities in England in 2003–04 is shown in the following table. Separate statistics on income derived by local authorities from parking charges and parking penalties are not collected centrally. I have arranged for a table giving a breakdown by authority to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	
		
			 2003–04 £000 
		
		
			 Total income 1 ,094,464 
			 Total expenditure 655,339 
			 Net current expenditure -439,125 
		
	
	Information on local authority parking income and expenditure for the financial year 2004–05 will be available in spring 2006.

Railways

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures have been taken since 19 October 2004 to prevent people riding on the outside of trains.

Derek Twigg: The rail industry is continually working together to make young people aware of the dangers of trespass on the railway. National and local campaigns are run regularly, particularly leading up to and during the summer holidays. The design of modern rolling stock also makes surfing more difficult than it once was.

Railways

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of people riding on the outside of moving trains were reported to the British Transport police in 2004.

Derek Twigg: The British Transport police recorded 201 incidents of people riding on the outside of moving trains on Britain's rail network in 2004.

Railways

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the maximum number of people that could be carried each weekday on an unbroken direct rail route between (a) London and Manchester and (b) London and Liverpool; and how many he estimates could be carried in standard class in each case.

Derek Twigg: Current services make intermediate stops. The weekday timetable from 13 June 2005 provides (both directions): 65 services between London and Manchester (excluding those via Birmingham), offering 28,730 seats (of which 19,240 are in Standard class), and 30 services between London and Liverpool, offering 13,260 seats (of which 8,880 are in Standard class).
	From 13 June the morning business train departing Liverpool at 0708 will call only at Runcorn and will have a journey time of 2 hours 12 minutes compared with the equivalent at present of 2 hours 20 minutes.

Railways

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether home owners who suffer (a) noise pollution and (b) vibration damage following the introduction of the high speed line on the North Kent Coast line in 2009 will be eligible for compensation.

Derek Twigg: The new rolling stock that will be introduced in Kent from 2009 will operate at speeds of up to 140 mph on the channel tunnel rail link and at slower speeds on the existing network, including the North Kent Coast.
	Householders who are affected by noise from new or altered railway lines are entitled to noise compensation and amelioration measures on the same basis as householders who live next to new roads. However, there is no provision for compensation or abatement measures when use of a railway line intensifies or changes. Successive Governments have taken the view that those who choose to live adjacent to roads or railways do so in the knowledge that the volume or composition of the traffic may change, and that the householder must therefore bear that risk.

Road Safety

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on road safety of unauthorised advertisements displayed on (a) motorway bridges and (b) adjacent fields.

Stephen Ladyman: Studies have been carried out which attempt to relate the presence of roadside advertisements and other potential distractions to road accidents. However, it is difficult to derive a direct causal relationship because accidents are relatively infrequent, and often are the result of many factors. The Highways Agency does not allow advertising to be placed on its motorway bridges. The placing of roadside advertising alongside the motorway but sited on private land is a matter for the local planning authorities. If consulted, the Highways Agency assesses the impact and likely safety consequences for each case on its merits and reports its findings to the local planning authority.

Road Safety

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the safety of the junction at Greenodd on the A590 in Cumbria; and if he will take steps to ensure (i) a lower speed limit and (ii) a roundabout are introduced at the junction.

Stephen Ladyman: Safety at the A590 Greenodd Junction is continually assessed, and the Highways Agency has made a number of improvements to the geometry of the junction in recent years with a view to improving safety. Further improvements to the junction are currently under consideration, and the Agency has agreed to review the case for a roundabout. There are no plans to reduce the current 70mph speed limit.

Road Traffic Accidents

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) fatal and (b) non-fatal traffic accidents there have been in Tamworth in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the Table.
	
		Fatal and non-fatal accidents, Tamworth: 1997 to 2003 -- Accidents
		
			  Fatal Non-Fatal All 
		
		
			 1997 2 253 255 
			 1998 0 230 230 
			 1999 0 224 224 
			 2000 3 223 226 
			 2001 2 235 237 
			 2002 0 236 236 
			 2003 1 259 260

Road Traffic Accidents

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people (a) were seriously injured and (b) died in road traffic accidents in the East Riding of Yorkshire in each of the past five years.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the Table.
	
		Killed and seriously injured casualties East Riding of Yorkshire: 1997–2003
		
			  Casualties 
			  Killed Serious 
		
		
			 1997 2 19 
			 1998 0 15 
			 1999 0 15 
			 2000 3 10 
			 2001 2 11 
			 2002 0 21 
			 2003 1 10

Road Traffic Volumes

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the percentage change in road traffic volumes over 2005 figures by (a) 2010, (b) 2015 and (c) 2020.

Stephen Ladyman: Projections of road traffic, using 2000 traffic levels as a base, were published in July 2004 in the White Paper The Future of Transport".

School Transport

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate a review of legislation governing the use of vehicles for school transport contracts which do not have safety belts fitted.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Mr. Donaldson) on 24 May 2005, Official Report, column 539. Furthermore, schools or local authorities entering into contracts for the supply of school transport with bus operators can specify within their contracts that they will only accept proposals based on vehicles fitted with seat belts.

Speed Cameras

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras there are in Southend, West; and how much money was raised in fines for each of them in each of the last three years.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department only holds the requested information at Safety Camera Partnership level and I refer the Hon Member to the answer given him today (UIN 398). Detailed information is available from partnerships, unless relating to police operational matters.

Speed Cameras

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was raised in fines revenue from speed cameras in (a) England and (b) Essex in each of the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is only available for 1999–2003 and is set out in the following tables that have been provided by the Home Office. These contain fine revenue from all speed cameras, therefore including enforcement outside of the National Safety Camera Programme. The increase in the number of penalties issued reflects in part the wider coverage of cameras with the national rollout of the Safety Camera Programme. The programme began with a pilot which included six police force areas in England in 2000. National rollout commenced in 2001. The number of police force areas taking part in the programme had increased to 24 in April 2002 and to 36 by the end of 2003.
	
		Table A: Fixed penalty and court proceedings data for speeding offences detected by cameras(2) in England, 1999–2003
		
			  Fixed penalties Court proceedings 
			 Offence and year Number of tickets (3) Estimated revenue (£)(4) Number of fines Total amount of fine (£) Average fine(5) 
		
		
			 1999 395,900 15,836,000 24,800 2,811,000 113 
			 2000 556,000 24,395,000 25,700 2,830,000 110 
			 2001 791,200 47,474,000 31,500 3,546,000 113 
			 2002 1,012,000 60,720,000 31,800 3,333,000 105 
			 2003 1,600,000 96,012,000 50,400 5,337,000 106 
		
	
	(2)Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.
	(3)Paid ie no further action.
	(4)Estimate based on £40 fixed penalty charge to October 2000. From November 2000 the penalty was raised to £60.
	(5)Includes cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court.
	
		Table B: Fixed penalty and court proceedings data for speeding offences detected by cameras(6) in the Essex police force area, 1999–2003
		
			  Fixed penalties Court proceedings 
			 Offence and year Number of tickets (7) Estimated revenue (£)(8) Number of fines Total amount of fine (£) Average fine(9) 
		
		
			 1999 19,800 791,400 2,100 357,400 169 
			 2000 46,300 2,007,000 2,800 317,800 115 
			 2001 81,900 4,911,000 6,500 651,200 101 
			 2002 98,100 5,886,000 12,200 1,022,000 84 
			 2003 64,500 3,872,000 7,400 687,700 93 
		
	
	(6)Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.
	(7)Paid ie no further action.
	(8)Estimate based on £40 fixed penalty charge to October 2000. From November 2000 the penalty was raised to £60.
	(9)Includes cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court.

Speed Cameras

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras are in use in each county in England.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 9 June 2005
	The Department only holds the requested information at Safety Camera Partnership level. However, I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 9 June 2005, Official Report, columns 617–19W. Further detailed information is available from partnerships.

Speed Cameras

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are to increase the number of speed cameras in the Humberside area.

Stephen Ladyman: In its operational case for 2005–06, the Humberside Safety Camera Partnership submitted for approval one new mobile safety camera site. The operational case is currently being assessed by the Department.

Speed Cameras

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what analysis his Department undertakes of the effectiveness of (a) speed cameras and (b) other speed reduction devices.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department periodically evaluates a range of road safety measures.
	The effectiveness of the national safety camera programme is independently reviewed regularly and the reports are available in the Library and on the Department's web site. The review of the first three years' operation of the programme, published on 15 June 2004, concluded that safety cameras had reduced the number of people killed or seriously injured at camera sites by 40 per cent. A fourth year report, reflecting the rollout of the programme to thirty-five safety camera partnerships, is in preparation.
	Evaluations have been published on a number of other individual speed reduction methods over recent years, including traffic calming measures and vehicle activated signs. These evaluations have helped to develop guidance and best practice which is set out in traffic advisory leaflets and other publications. The published evaluations are listed in Traffic Advisory Leaflet 2/05 Traffic Calming Bibliography, available in the Library and on the Department's web site.

Thameslink

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 131W, on Thameslink, whether (a) fast and (b) semi-fast trains stopped at (i) Mill Hill and (ii) Hendon under the Thameslink timetable in operation before the summer 2005 timetable; whether (A) fast and (B) semi-fast trains will stop under the new summer 2005 timetable at (1) Mill Hill and (2) Hendon; what the reasons for the changes to the timetable are; what assessment he has made of the effect of the new timetable on commuters from Mill Hill and Hendon; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: In the timetable that operated between 23 May 2004 and 11 December 2004, there were 68 services from Mill Hill Broadway to Kings Cross Thameslink. Two of these took 13 minutes, two took 15minutes, one took 16 minutes, one took 17 minutes and the rest took between 19 and 23 minutes. There were 62 services from Hendon taking between 15 and 20 minutes.
	In the new timetable from 12 June there will be 66services from Mill Hill Broadway to Kings Cross Thameslink taking between 18 and 22 minutes and there will be 66 services from Hendon taking between 15 and 19 minutes.
	The timing of services is for train operating companies to determine, having regard to their contractual requirements, in conjunction with Network Rail which allocates the necessary train paths". Thameslink are making a number of service alterations from 12 June aimed at improving performance.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Postal Voting

Andrew Turner: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what consideration the Electoral Commission has given to the prevention of abuse of the postal vote.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission has considered the postal voting process in several reviews since 2001, most recently in the report Securing the vote, which was published last month. This recommended a number of changes, including a system of individual registration; further security checks; new offences and additional resources. One of the intentions behind the proposed changes is a reduction in the scope for abuse of postal votes.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agricultural Waste Regulations

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many responses she has received to the consultation on Agricultural Waste Regulations; how many were fromgrowers; and what the results of the consultation were;
	(2)  when she will report on the consultation into Agricultural Waste Regulations.

Ben Bradshaw: The consultation paper on the draft Agricultural Waste Regulations was sent to a wide range of trade associations and other organisations (the main consultation). A summary consultation, with a pull-out questionnaire, was also sent to 162,000 farmers and growers in England and Wales (the summary consultation). We have received 103 responses to the main consultation and 2,485 responses to the summary consultation. It is not feasible separately to identify the number of responses received from growers.
	The consultation exercise is being carried out in compliance with the Cabinet Office's Code of Practice on Consultation" which is available at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/regulation/consultation/index.asp. We are currently considering the responses to the consultation, a significant number of which were received after the closing date. The next step will be the publication of a summary of those responses and our analysis of them. We are not yet in a position to confirm the date of publication.

Air Sports

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on permitted activities on land for which Single Farm Payments are made; and if she will take steps to classify paragliding and hang-gliding as permitted activities.

Jim Knight: The Department has issued guidance on the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) and non-agricultural use of land which balances the need for diversification opportunities with the necessity to abide by EU rules on eligibility of land under the Scheme. The guidance is built around the degree to which non-agricultural use impedes or is inconsistent with normal farming activities. It specifies that paragliding and hang-gliding events may take place on up to 28 days during the 10-month period that farmers must declare, for SPS payment purposes, that they have the required amount of eligible land at their disposal. In addition, such events may take place at any time during the remaining two months of the year. There is no restriction on individual paragliders and hang-gliders, though payment to the farmer will depend on observance of set cross-compliance conditions, which apply for the whole calendar year.

Animal Slaughter

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the reasons are for the rule that any animal must be slaughtered within 48 hours of sale; if she will (a) extend this period by a further 24 hours over weekends and (b) include reference to lairage; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The 48 hour rule states that animals should be slaughtered within 48 hours of arrival at the slaughterhouse and not within 48 hours of sale. This rule was introduced on the basis of veterinary advice following the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001. It strikes a proportionate balance between the need to prevent potential disease spread and the ability of slaughterhouse operators to run their businesses efficiently. The veterinary risk remains unchanged, and therefore there are no proposals to amend the rule.
	The rules applicable to a lairage depend upon whether it is within or outside the slaughterhouse as licensed by the Meat Hygiene Service. If within then the lairage is considered as if part of the slaughterhouse. If not then the lairage is considered as if it were any other piece of agricultural land, in which case the rules for moving livestock applicable to such land apply.

Animal Welfare

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ensure that there are robust targets for farm animal welfare in the England Rural Development Programme from 2007.

Jim Knight: Negotiations on the draft Rural Development Regulation are expected to reach a conclusion at the Agriculture Council on 20–22 June. We expect that an animal welfare measure will—as now—be among the options available to member states; although not as part of a combined agri-environment and animal welfare measure. The England Rural Development Programme has not made use of the option to make payments to farms in return for a voluntary commitment to apply higher standards of animal welfare. Decisions on whether to do so in future will be taken as part of the process of designing a successor Rural Development Programme, and will be taken in the light of responses to a consultation this autumn, and bearing in mind the importance of ensuring that legal animal welfare requirements are fully adhered to.

Animal Welfare

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the new guidelines on the welfare of animals recently agreed by the Office International des Epizooties.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government welcome these new guidelines, on which there has been extensive consultation. The Government prefer the slaughter of animals for human consumption as close as possible to their point of production. However, it recognises that in many parts of the world it is necessary to transport animals long distances for slaughter, further fattening and breeding.
	These standards have been welcomed by the industry, veterinarians and many welfare organisations and if properly implemented would greatly reduce the risk worldwide to the welfare of animals during their transport, or in the process of slaughter or killing. The guidelines will be kept under review by the OIE in light of new information and experience of their use.

Biofuels Directive

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance she has issued to farmers in relation to ensuring the United Kingdom meets its biofuels targets under the EU Biofuels Directive.

Elliot Morley: Defra is committed to supporting the production of transport biofuels. They have potential for UK agriculture as they can be produced from mainstream crops and we are keen to develop such new market opportunities for farmers. We are working with the National Farmers Union, the Country Land and Business Association, biofuel trade associations, individual farmers and companies to develop markets and promote uptake. The potential of biofuel crops are promoted at farmer's seminars and conferences. In 2004, Defra and the British Association for Biofuels and Oils produced a booklet The facts on biodiesel and bioethanol". Copies were distributed in a farming magazine and at seminars. The Single Payment Scheme brochures and Defra's website give guidance on claiming the Single Payment and the Energy Aid Payment for biofuel crops.

Bovine Tuberculosis

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Independent Scientific Group on its conclusion that there was nothing to learn from the Republic of Ireland's study on bovine tuberculosis.

Ben Bradshaw: The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) did not conclude that there was nothing to be learned from the Republic of Ireland's four-area badger study. The ISG recognised that the Republic of Ireland study added to the available evidence, but identified limitations in the applicability of the study to the situation in Great Britain.
	The Government's Strategic Framework for the sustainable control of bovine tuberculosis sets out a process for decision-making on badger culling, based on analysis of practicality, cost-effectiveness and sustainability. The Government are working on modelling (including cost-benefit analysis) badger-culling options using existing and emerging data, and this will include data from the Irish Four Area Trial.

Bovine Tuberculosis

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will introduce more rigorous pre-movement tuberculosis testing of cattle; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 9 June 2005
	The Department is considering a proposal for pre-movement testing in Great Britain, developed by one of the TB interest groups. The report of the group, which was chaired by a farmer, is available on the Defra website. http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/pdf/pre-movementtest.pdf. We are considering the groups' recommendation.
	The policy will require agreement from the Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly. We aim to consult later this year on the detailed proposal. A proposal is also being developed for post-movement testing in Scotland (led by the Scottish Executive).

BSE

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the incidence of cases of BSE in cows born after the imposition of the reinforced feed ban.

Ben Bradshaw: The UK's reinforced feed ban, effective from 1 August 1996, has resulted in a step change decrease in BSE in cattle born from this date. There have been 121 cases born after July 1996 in the UK. More than 183,000 cases have been confirmed in the UK to date and over 99 per cent. were born before August 1996.
	No cases have yet been found in animals born in the year between August 2000 and July 2001. Three cases have recently been confirmed in cattle born in September 2001, October 2001 and May 2002. All were from the same farm and investigations into a possible cause continue.
	Professor William Hill is currently carrying out an independent assessment of the possible causes of BSE cases born after July 1996 at the request of Defra.

Cattle Diseases

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the new system of table valuations for (a) bovine TB, (b) enzootic bovine leukosis, (c) BSE and (d) brucellosis.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra remains committed to introducing a new cattle compensation system, based on table valuations, and aims to put the new system in place during 2005.
	The Department is looking closely at concerns raised during the consultation, especially in relation to the scope of categories for commercial and pedigree animals. Ultimately we want a system that is fair to both farmers and taxpayers.
	Once we have more concrete details, Defra will arrange further meetings with stakeholders to discuss how it intends to proceed.

Chewing Gum

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost of removing chewing gum from streets was in (a) England, (b) each English region and (c) each local authority in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: Figures are available for the total cost of street cleansing at national and regional level. However, these figures are not broken down to include more detailed aspects such as chewing gum removal.
	A recent survey by ENCAMS—the environmental charity which runs the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign—received 66 responses from local authorities on gum removal. The spending by these authorities on removing gum ranged from £0 to £200,000, with the average per authority at £12,792.

Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to lay an order before Parliament implementing section2 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

Ben Bradshaw: The Nuisance Parking Offences under part 2 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act came into force on the 7 June. We hope to implement the abandoned vehicle measures in the autumn. The Fixed Penalty Notices relating to local environmental offences, including nuisance parking and abandoned vehicles, are due to be implemented by April 2006.

Committee on Radioactive Waste Management

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of the representatives on the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management have direct scientific or engineering experience of the nuclear industry; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 9 June 2005
	Details for the members of CoRWM, together with a declaration of their interests, can be found on the CoRWM website, www.corwm.org.uk

Committee on Radioactive Waste Management

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many options on the disposal of nuclear waste are being considered by the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management.

Elliot Morley: The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) launched the second phase of its Public and Stakeholder Engagement consultation programme on 4 April 2005. One of the items covered by this consultation is its proposed shortlist of options for the long-term management of the UK's higher level radioactive waste. Of the 15 options originally evaluated, CoRWM has proposed that four be carried forward to further assessment:
	Deep geological disposal
	Phased deep geological disposal
	Near-surface disposal of short-lived waste
	Long-term interim storage.
	This shortlist will be finalised in light of CoRWM's consultation. Further details can be found at www.corwm.org.uk

Consultants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many consultants were employed by her Department in each of the last three years; and what their names were.

Jim Knight: The Department has engaged consultants from the companies shown as follows in each of the last three financial years:
	
		Consultancy supplier
		
			  Financial year 
			  2002–03 2003–05 2004–05 
		
		
			 1 A B P Research and Consultancy Ltd 1st Call Communications Ltd Accenture (UK) Ltd 
			 2 ATG Consultancy Ltd A T G Consultancy Ltd Air Quality Consultants 
			 3 Agra Ceas Consulting Accenture (UK) Ltd Alco Waste Management Ltd 
			 4 Air Quality Consultants Accenture Plc Allium and Brassica Centre 
			 5 Alco Waste Management Ltd Agra Ceas Consulting Amtec Consulting Group 
			 6 Amtec Consulting Group Agros Associates Andersons Farm Bus Consultants Ltd 
			 7 Black and Veatch Consulting Ltd Air Quality Consultants Black and Veatch Consulting Ltd 
			 8 Bridge Corporate Consultants Ltd Alco Waste Management Ltd British Trust For Ornithology 
			 9 British Trust For Ornithology Amtec Consulting Group Brogdale Horticultural Trust 
			 10 Brogdale Horticultural Trust Andersons Farm Bus Consultants Ltd C A B I Bioscience 
			 11 Bullen Consultants Ltd Black and Veatch Consulting Ltd C Y Hill 
			 12 C A B I Bioscience British Trust For Ornithology Cornwell Management Consultants plc 
			 13 C J C Consulting Brogdale Horticultural Trust Countrywise Communications Ltd 
			 14 C Y Hill C A B I Bioscience CoVision Management Consulting 
			 15 Cascade Consulting C J C Consulting C-Tech Innovation Ltd 
			 16 Consultancy and Research Services Ltd C Y Hill David J Cole 
			 17 Cornwell Management Consultants plc Cascade Consulting Deloitte M C S Ltd 
			 18 Countrywise Communications Ltd Consultancy and Research Services Ltd Delta Partnership Solutions Ltd 
			 19 David J Cole Cornwall Management Consultants plc Drew Associates 
			 20 David Trevor-Jones Associates Countrywise Communications Ltd Econom For The Environ Consult Ltd 
			 21 Dbi Consulting CoVision Management Consulting. Elm Farm Research Centre 
			 22 Deloitte Consulting David J Cole Entec UK Ltd 
			 23 Delta Partnership Solutions Ltd David Trevor-Jones Associates Environmental Resources Management 
			 24 Drew Associates Deloitte M C S Ltd Enviros Consulting Ltd 
			 25 Econom For The Environ Consult Ltd Delta Partnership Solutions Ltd ESYS Consulting 
			 26 Ecoscope Applied Ecologists Drew Associates Eunomia Research and Consulting Ltd 
			 27 Elm Farm Research Centre Ecoscope Applied Ecologists Fisheries Resource Management 
			 28 Entec UK Ltd Elm Farm Research Centre Foundation For Science and Technology 
			 29 Environmental Resources Management Entec UK Ltd Geoff Sterry 
			 30 Enviros Consulting Ltd Environmental Resources Management H D R A Consultants 
			 31 Eunomia Research and Consulting Ltd Enviros Consulting Ltd Hedra Consortium 
			 32 Fisheries Resource Management Eunomia Research and Consulting Ltd Hillier Hopkins 
			 33 Geoff Sterry Fisheries Resource Management I C Consultants Ltd 
			 34 Greengage Consulting Ltd Geoff Sterry Ilex Energy Consulting Ltd 
			 35 H G Leventhall Greengage Consulting Ltd Insite Research and Consulting 
			 36 Hedra Consortium H D R A Consultants Insys Ltd 
			 37 Hillier Hopkins Hedra Consortium Interbrand UK 
			 38 I B M United Kingdom Ltd Hillier Hopkins International Science Consultants 
			 39 I C Consultants Ltd I B M United Kingdom Ltd J C Turner Associates 
			 40 I C M Consultancy I C Consultants Ltd J E P Environmental Consultancy 
			 41 Ilex Energy Consulting Ltd Ilex Energy Consulting Ltd J M Beaven 
			 42 Insite Research and Consulting Insite Research and Consulting John Champion Consultants 
			 43 International Resources Group Insys Ltd John Fawell 
			 44 International Science Consultants Interbrand UK K P M G 
			 45 Jackson Consulting International Science Consultants Kellogg Brown and Root Ltd 
			 46 John Champion Consultants J C Turner Associates Kirby Associates Ltd 
			 47 Kellogg Brown and Root Ltd J M Beaven Land Use Consultants 
			 48 Kirby Associates Ltd Jackson Consulting Logica UK Ltd 
			 49 L M C International Ltd John Champion Consultants Logicacmg 
			 50 Land Use Consultants John Fawell London Remade Ltd 
			 51 Logica UK Ltd KPMG M L Parry and Associates 
			 52 Lorren Wyatt Kellogg Brown and Root Ltd Macaulay Land Use Research Inst 
			 53 M L Parry and Associates Kirby Associates Ltd Mcmillan Scott plc 
			 54 March Consulting Ltd M C International Ltd Mentis Management Consultants Ltd 
			 55 Mcmillan Scott plc Land Use Consultants Minefield Research Services Ltd 
			 56 Mylnefield Research Services Ltd Logica UK Ltd Norton and Brooksbank Ltd 
			 57 Natural Resources Institute London Remade Ltd Oxera Consulting Ltd 
			 58 O'Grady's Management Consultants Ltd M L Parry and Associates P A Consulting Group 
			 59 Osborne Richardson Mcmillan Scott plc Partnerships UK plc 
			 60 Oxera Consulting Ltd Morbus Consulting Peake (GB) Ltd 
			 61 P A Consulting Group Morgan Chambers Penna Change Consulting Ltd 
			 62 PKF Mylnefield Research Services Ltd Penna Consulting Plc 
			 63 Peake (GB) Ltd Natural Resources Institute Penna plc 
			 64 Penna Change Consulting Ltd Norton and Brooksbank Ltd Public Partners 
			 65 Q I Consulting Oxera Consulting Ltd Public Private Ptnrship Programme 
			 66 Qinetiq Ltd P A Consulting Group Q I Consulting 
			 67 R P S Water Services Parliament Renewable and Sust En Grp Qinetiq Ltd 
			 68 Risk and Policy Analysts Ltd 68 Partnerships UK plc Risk and Policy Analysts Ltd 
			 69 Risk Solutions Peake (GB) Ltd Risk Solutions 
			 70 Rothamsted Experimental Station Penna Change Consulting Ltd Simon Draper Agronomy Ltd 
			 71 Saxton Bampfylde Hever plc Penna Consulting Plc Soil Association 
			 72 Scott Wilson Piesold Consulting Ltd Penna Sanders and Sidney Sypol Ltd 
			 73 Simon Poulton Penny Anderson Associates Ltd T E S Bretby 
			 74 SMS Multimedia Consultancy Public Partners The Faraday Partnership Ltd 
			 75 Soil Association Public Private Ptnrship Programme The Heather Trust 
			 76 Spy Design Ltd Q I Consulting The Sir Alister Hardy Foundation For Ocean Science 
			 77 Sypol Environmental Management Ltd Qinetiq Ltd The Zoological Society Of London 
			 78 T E S Bretby R P S Water Services Towers Perrin 
			 79 The Brown Rural Partnership Risk and Policy Analysts Ltd W R C plc 
			 80 The Heather Trust Simon Draper Agronomy Ltd Water Management Consultants 
			 81 The Sir Alister Hardy Foundation For Ocean Science S M S Multimedia Consultancy Williams Parry Richards 
			 82 The Zoological Society Of London Soil Association — 
			 83 W R C plc Spy Design Ltd — 
			 84 Water Management Consultants Sypol Environmental Management Ltd — 
			 85 Wilkinson Environ Consulting Ltd T E S Bretby — 
			 86 Williams Parry Richards The Brown Rural Partnership — 
			 87 Your Communications The Faraday Partnership Ltd — 
			 88 — The Heather Trust — 
			 89 — The Sir Alister Hardy Foundation For Ocean Science — 
			 90 — The Zoological Society Of London — 
			 91 — Thirleby Consulting Ltd — 
			 92 — Towers Perrin — 
			 93 — W R C plc — 
			 94 — Water Management Consultants — 
			 95 — Williams Parry Richards —

EU Legislation

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what EU legislation was implemented by (a) the Groundwater Regulations 1998, (b) the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000, (c) the Biocidal Products Regulations 2001, (d) the Processed Animal Proteins (England) Regulations 2001, (e) the Electricity and Gas (Energy Efficiency Obligations) Order 2001, (f) the Animal By-Products Regulations 2003 and (g) the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003.

Elliot Morley: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Groundwater Regulations 1998 completed the implementation of the Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC).
	(b) The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 implemented Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption.
	(c) The Biocidal Products Regulations 2001 implemented Directive 98/8/EC concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market.
	(d) The Processed Animal Proteins (England) Regulations 2001 implemented Council Decision 2000/766/EC concerning certain protection measures with regard to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and the feeding of animal protein and Council Decision 2001/9/EC (as amended by Commission Decision 2001/165/EC) concerning control measures required for the implementation of Council Decision 2000/766/EC.
	(e) The Electricity and Gas (Energy Efficiency Obligations) Order 2001 does not implement EU legislation.
	(f) The Animal By-Products Regulations 2003 implemented Council Regulation 1774/2002/EC (as amended by Commission Regulation 808/2003/EC) laying down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption.
	(g) The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 implemented the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).

Fly-posting

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of streets in each local authority had visible fly-posters in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: Figures on the visibility of fly-posters on streets for each local authority are not available from 1997. However, the annual Local Environmental Quality Survey of England, conducted by ENCAMS on behalf of Defra, provides statistics on the extent of fly-posting on a regional basis since 2001–02. This is a measure of the percentage of sites (covering streets and highways, public open spaces and waterside areas) that have significant levels of fly-posting present, so as to be clearly visible to the public. The statistics for all areas combined show that the percentage of transects with unsatisfactory levels of fly-posting has fallen from 2 per cent. to 1 per cent. nationally.
	As of April 2005, a new best value performance indicator BV199c has been introduced to measure levels of fly-posting based on the LEQSE methodology. Statistics for each local authority will therefore be available from next year.
	
		Percentage of site transects that have significant levels of fly-posting present from LEQSE 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04
		
			  Year 1 (2001–02) Year 2 (2002–03) Year 3 (2003–04) 
		
		
			 London 4 5 4 
			 South-East 3 1 1 
			 South-West 2 0 1 
			 West Midlands 1 1 0 
			 East Midlands 1 1 0 
			 East of England 1 1 1 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 1 1 1 
			 North-West 2 1 0 
			 North-East 1 0 0 
			 All areas 2 1 1

Fly-tipping

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the cost of removing fly-tipped rubbish was in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many fly-tipping incidents have been recorded in each English region in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: Before this year no national data have been collected on incidents of illegal waste disposal or fly-tipping.
	Defra has worked with the Environment Agency and the Local Government Association to develop Flycapture, a national fly-tipping database, which has been active since April 2004. Initial returns from English local authorities for the six month period between June to November 2004 reported that £24 million was spent on clearing fly-tipping.
	Initial returns for the same six month period reported the following numbers of incidents dealt with by local authorities:
	
		
			  Region Number of incidents reported (6 months June to November 2004) 
		
		
			 East Midlands 20,411 
			 East of England 35,453 
			 Greater London 134,276 
			 North East 40,505 
			 North West 34,266 
			 South East 34,743 
			 South West 13,081 
			 West Midlands 26,703 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 102,445

Game Management

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her assessment is of the role played by game management in management of uplands.

Jim Knight: Game management has played a significant role in creating and maintaining some of the typical habitats of the uplands, especially in northern England. The major influence has been management for driven grouse shooting, which has taken place for the past 150 years. The areas of such habitat are extensive and of national or international importance for their vegetation and breeding birds. It is noteworthy that some 75 per cent. of our heather moorland are classified as areas of national and international importance for wildlife both plants and animals. However, large areas of the English uplands managed for game (red grouse) designated as SSSI/SAC/SPA, are in unfavourable condition due to past poor management practices such as overgrazing, intensive burning and drainage.

IT Contracts

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) projected cost at the time of tender and (b) actual cost at the time of completion was for each IT contract commissioned by her Department and its predecessors in the last five years.

Jim Knight: The information the hon. Member requests is not held centrally by the Department and cannot therefore be readily retrieved without incurring disproportionate cost.

Litter/Abatement Orders

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimates she has made of the amount of litter dropped in the street in each year since 1997; and what percentage of this is made up of (a) food and (b) food wrapping.

Ben Bradshaw: Figures are available through Defra's Municipal Waste Management Survey for the amount of non household municipal waste collected by local authorities. However, this is not broken down further to record the amount—or type—collected through street cleansing.
	However, the Local Environmental Quality Survey of England for 2003–04 shows that of the areas surveyed, seven out of 10 items of litter most frequently dropped by pedestrians or people in vehicles are 'Food-on-the-Go' materials (comprising confectionery litter, soft drinks related litter, snack packaging, fast food packaging and paper tissues).

Litter/Abatement Orders

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the system of litter abatement orders.

Ben Bradshaw: The system of litter abatement orders was reviewed in Defra's Living Places—Powers, Rights, Responsibilities" consultation published in October 2002. Responses to the consultation indicated that most local authorities are able to negotiate a solution before a litter abatement order is lodged. The principle behind the procedure is sound, but the use and application of litter abatement orders needs to be communicated to residents more effectively.
	The environmental charity, ENCAMS, sponsored by Defra, already provides information for the public on litter abatement orders. Defra is building on this further in its roll-out programme for the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, which will include guidance on litter covering both existing and new legislation.

Livestock

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons the Meat and Livestock Commission was chosen to be the body responsible for collecting data from markets for the purpose of the introduction of the new table valuations system.

Ben Bradshaw: The Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) have been contracted by Defra, for some time, to provide sales data for store cattle and this contract was due to end on 31 March 2005. However, for business continuity reasons, a decision was taken to extend the agreement for a further year. To support the proposed new table valuation system, Defra, in extending the existing contract, also took the opportunity to require the MLC to expand the range of sales data collected, and significantly increase the number of data sources.
	A new contract for this work will be tendered to suitable companies later this year.

Livestock

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many owners who lost stock due to disease breakdown have been overpaid due to overvaluation of that stock in each of the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: It is not possible to give a precise figure for the number of cattle owners that have received excessive compensation as a result of a TB breakdown. However, the evidence for overcompensation is extensive and includes: a National Audit Office (Wales) study, which concluded both that compensation payments in South Wales were between 50 and 100 per cent. higher than comparable 'free market' values and also that there was a significant overcompensation problem in South West England, and two Defra internal audit studies which also concluded that over-compensation was a significant problem in England.
	Furthermore, a separate report by the University of Reading concluded that a significant number of beef farms, and some dairy farms, showed a net financial benefit associated with their TB breakdown. This suggested that some farmers were being over-compensated by significant amounts, including consequential losses, which are illegal under the compensation scheme.

Low-frequency Noise

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will revise the advice given to local authorities on handling complaints relating to low-frequency noise to assist them in detecting the source of low-frequency noise.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department published University of Salford guidance for local authorities on its website on 24 May which provides a methodology for assessing complaints of low frequency noise. This guidance, produced on behalf of Defra, is supported by reports on the development of the methodology and its field trials by local authorities. The guidance gives advice to local authorities on how to assess complaints of low frequency noise, from taking into account the personal circumstances of a case to using the methodology for detecting and measuring a low frequency noise which would otherwise be difficult to assess. This will help local authorities to decide whether action should be taken under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Motor Sports

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on use of agricultural land for motor sports.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 104W.

Motor Sports

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what consultations were held before the decision to include motorbike trials in section C of the Guidance on Single Payment Scheme and Non-Agricultural Use;
	(2)  what the principal reasons were for classifying motorbike trials under section C of the Guidance on Single Payment Scheme and Non-Agricultural Use;
	(3)  what representations she has received concerning the banning of motorbike trials on agricultural land under the Single Farm Payment Scheme.

Jim Knight: The Department's guidance on the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) and non-agricultural use of land balances the need for diversification opportunities with the necessity to abide by EU rules on eligibility of land under the scheme. It is built around the degree to which non-agricultural use impedes or is inconsistent with normal farming activities and was originally drawn up following discussions with representatives of the agricultural industry. Following representations from motor sports interests the guidance has recently been updated with motor sports moving to section B from section C.

Nappies

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the promotion of reusable nappies in the light of the life cycle assessment on disposable and reusable nappies; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Our policy has not changed. It is for parents to choose the type of nappy they use. The Government will continue funding, through the Waste and Resources Action Programme, a programme on re-usable nappies in order to help parents make an informed choice and the UK to achieve its landfill directive targets.

Recycling

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether it is possible for the precepts paid by local authorities to waste disposal authorities to be calculated on the number of Band D properties only, without reference to councils' success in achieving recycling targets;
	(2)  how many waste disposal authorities calculate the precept imposed on local councils without reference to the amount of recycling done by any given council;
	(3)  if she will implement changes to the method whereby waste disposal authorities calculate local authorities' precepts to encourage recycling;
	(4)  what assessment she has made of the effects of the practice of Merseyside waste disposal authority of levying precepts on local councils irrespective of the amount of recycling done by those authorities.

Ben Bradshaw: The amount levied by the joint waste disposal authorities upon the 35 constituent councils and the manner in which it is apportioned are matters for the authorities' members, who are appointed by the constituent councils. Where unanimous agreement on an alternative cannot be reached the levy is apportioned according to a default, currently based on the number of Band D council tax properties within each authority.
	Of the six joint waste disposal authorities I understand that two currently use the default levy basis, although both are discussing proposals for a tonnage-based levy, and the rest have agreed alternatives which encourage a reduction in the amount of waste delivered for disposal.
	No specific assessment has been made of the use of the default levy by Merseyside waste disposal authority. However, the Government recognise that the current default levy basis does not encourage authorities to reduce, reuse or recycle waste and we have committed to changing the default to encourage more sustainable waste management. My officials will be consulting the joint waste disposal authorities and their constituent councils on proposals for change shortly.

Recycling

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether she plans to change the system whereby councils' targets to increase recycling are based on a percentage increase on their previous volumes;
	(2)  what plans she has to change the basis on which targets for recycling by councils are set.

Ben Bradshaw: In response to Recommendation Nine of the Strategy Unit Report 'Waste not, Want not', the Government are currently undertaking a review of recycling and composting targets in the light of performance against 2003–04 targets. The review is considering the efficacy of the existing suite of targets, and the value in setting future targets. It will take into account the fact that there are already a number of policy levers designed to drive the management of waste up the hierarchy. The outcome of the review will feed into the wider review of Waste Strategy 2000 which is also taking place in 2005, consistently with that Strategy's monitoring arrangements. The targets review will inform decisions by Ministers—as soon as possible—on any adjustment to existing targets and on any new sustainable waste targets to be set at national or local level aimed at driving up performance. Both reviews will take full account of stakeholders' and the public's views.

Rights of Way/Footpaths

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of (a) rights of way and (b) footpaths are (i) easy to use and (ii) in a good state of repair.

Jim Knight: The Best Value Performance Indicator figures for 2003–04 published by the Audit Commission show that an average of 69 per cent. of rights of way in England are easy to use. To qualify as easy to use the right of way should be in a good state of repair. The Best Value survey figures are for all types of rights of way and are not broken down to provide information on footpaths alone.

Sewerage

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the sewer capacity in (a) Stroud, (b) Gloucestershire and (c) England.

Elliot Morley: The Office of Water Services (Ofwat) does not collect information on sewer capacity. It is the responsibility of water and sewerage companies to ensure their sewers have sufficient capacity. Ofwat set price limits in December 2004 which will allow the companies to maintain and invest in their assets.
	In its final determinations Ofwat took account of the need for the companies to take action to safeguard homes against the risk of sewer flooding. This is set out in table 40 of Ofwat's 'Future water and sewerage charges 2005–10:Final determinations' which is in the Library of the House. Ofwat also allowed financing for companies to invest in upgrading their sewerage assets to meet rising demands particularly in relation to housing growth. This is set out in table 31 of the same document.

Single Payment Scheme

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on (a) the eligibility of short rotation coppice under the single payment scheme and (b) the implications for biomass production therefrom.

Jim Knight: Land on which short rotation coppice is grown in 2005 or later years is eligible for the purpose of the single payment scheme if it meets one of the following criteria:
	the land is set-aside under the non-food crop regime; or
	energy crop aid is also claimed on the crop; or
	the short rotation coppice was planted between 30 April 2004 and 10 March 2005.
	We are exploring the position further in respect of those growers who do not meet the qualifying criteria. The single payment scheme provides a clear option for diversification into biomass production to supply the markets which are now coming forward.

Single Payment Scheme

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will establish an independent tribunal system to consider claims by farmers concerning alleged mishandling of single payment scheme applications by the Rural Payments Agency.

Jim Knight: Farmers have had access to an independent appeal procedure since 1 April 2002 which has enabled them to challenge decisions made by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on their subsidy scheme claims.
	The single payment scheme Appeal Procedure was introduced in 2004 and is currently dealing with appeals from farmers relating to the introduction of the scheme. It will continue to be available to farmers who wish to challenge decisions made by RPA that will affect the amount of single payment that they will receive.
	The independent appeal procedure is not a tribunal system but gives a farmer the opportunity to present their case to an independent panel made up of members who have been appointed in accordance with the Code of Practice on Public Appointments.

Single Payment Scheme

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason it has been decided that farmers who do not submit applications under the single payment scheme by 10 June 2005 should lose all entitlements until 2012.

Jim Knight: 10 June 2005 was the final date provided for in the European regulations for the establishment of entitlements under the single payment scheme. Where establishment of entitlements took place after 16 May 2005 a reduction of 4 per cent. per working day will be applied to payments made in respect of those entitlements claimed in 2005.

Waste Management

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of household waste in (a) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) England was (i) recycled and (ii) composted in the last year for which figures are available; and what action her Department is taking to increase that percentage.

Ben Bradshaw: Audited data show that the East Riding of Yorkshire Council achieved 14 per cent. for the recycling and composting of household waste against a target of 18 per cent. for 2003–04.
	The figure for England shows that householders are now recycling and composting 17.7 per cent. of their household waste against a national target of 17 per cent. for 2003–04.
	Defra, and Government more widely, recognise the challenge local authorities in England face meeting their statutory performance standards in recycling and composting and the increase in costs as waste is diverted away from landfill. Accordingly, we are providing increased levels of support and funding to drive the management of household waste up the waste hierarchy.
	Local authorities' main source of funding for waste management is the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services (EPCS) block of the Revenue Support Grant distributed by central Government each year, supplemented by council tax. In last year's Spending Review (SR2004) the Government announced an increase in EPCS Formula Spending Share block of £888 million by 2007–08 over 2004–05.
	Funding is also being provided from a variety of other sources to help authorities meet and exceed their targets. The Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant (WPEG) is providing unringfenced funding to local authorities worth £45 million in 2005–06 and £105 million and £110 million in the two following years. The grant is intended to underpin core funding, helping to put in place new and more efficient ways to reduce waste and increase recycling and diversion from landfill. Through the private finance initiative (PFI), credits worth £355 million have been made available in the three years to 2005–06 as an extra source of funding, with a further £535 million available in 2006–07 and 2007–08.
	Alongside the additional funding, we are providing increased support to local authorities through a number of organisations who can offer both advice and funding. The Waste Implementation Programme (WIP) has devoted over £150 million over the three years to 2005–06 to strategic measures helping authorities to divert waste from landfill. It includes a Local Authority Support Unit aimed specifically at assisting local authorities to reach their targets and manage waste in a more sustainable fashion. The unit is providing help, where appropriate, in the form of best practice guidance, practical support and consultancy advice, including public awareness and education programmes.
	On a national basis, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is a not-for-profit company supported by funding from Defra, the Department for Trade and Industry and the devolved Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is working to promote sustainable waste management by creating stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products. It also runs the Recycling and Organics Technical Advisory Team which is available to all local authorities in England to provide support and advice on the separate collection of dry recyclables and organic wastes.
	We are also engaging with the poorest performing local authorities, which has included meetings with the Minister of State for some of them, to ensure they receive the right support. If authorities continue to demonstrate no commitment to improvement the Secretary of State will use—as a last resort—the formal intervention powers under section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999.

Water Pollution

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to define microbial public health standards for (a) water courses and (b) discharges into them.

Elliot Morley: The Surface Water Abstraction Directive specifies microbiological standards for waters that are abstracted for potable water supply. The quality of the abstracted water determines the level of treatment of raw water required for potable consumption.
	The Bathing Waters Directive specifies mandatory and guideline standards for identified bathing waters. In the UK most are tidal waters not watercourses. The few inland bathing waters are all lakes or ponds. The Bathing Waters Directive is currently under review.
	There are no microbial water quality standards that are generally applicable to all water courses or discharges. The microbiological quality of inland watercourses is highly variable, due to land runoff from livestock agriculture and from urban drainage after rainfall, as well as from continuous discharges of treated effluent from sewage works.
	In England and Wales the Environment Agency is responsible for approving and regulating discharges to watercourses. Where a discharge to inland (or tidal) waters could impact upon the microbiological quality of a Bathing Water, (or a Shellfish Water, for which there are shellfish flesh standards) the Environment Agency's policies and procedures are intended to ensure that permitted discharges do not put compliance with the standards at risk.

Water Pollution

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions (a) she and (b) the Environment Agency have had with Local Agenda 21 groups about pollution of water courses.

Elliot Morley: Following the Earth Summit in 1992 and the Agenda 21 declaration, many local communities in the UK set up voluntary groups which worked on sustainable development activity. In many local authority areas, Agenda 21 strategies have been subsumed into statutory community strategies and some Agenda 21 groups disbanded.
	There is no official list or register of these groups since they change as do the communities who set them up. There are no official communication channels with these groups and Defra has not received any requests for discussion about environmental water quality.
	At the national level, Defra encourages stakeholder participation in water quality issues through stakeholder groups and consultations, for example the Water Framework Directive stakeholder group that considers issues relating to implementation of the Water Framework Directive in England and water policy generally. Its membership covers a wide range of interests, including the environment, the water industry, agriculture, the countryside, and industry.
	At the local level, the Environment Agency has worked for many years with Local Agenda 21 groups and the partnerships they have often developed into, for example Local Strategic Partnerships, on a number of environmental issues and objectives, including the pollution of watercourses.
	The Environment Agency is currently involved with 284 Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) and the development and implementation of their Community Strategies.

TREASURY

Banks (Windfall Tax)

Charles Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to levy a windfall tax on the domestic banking sector; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Tax policy is reviewed as part of the annual Budget process. There are no current plans to introduce a windfall tax on banks.

Climate Change Levy

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total yield of the climate change levy in each year since its introduction; what its expected yield is in the 2005–06 financial year; by how much the income of the National Insurance Fund has been reduced in each year since the introduction of the climate change levy by the off-setting cuts in employers' contributions; and whether he plans to arrange for future proceeds of the levy to be transferred to the National Insurance Fund to pay for increases in pensions and other benefits.

John Healey: The climate change levy was introduced in 2001 with offsetting tax cuts for business, which included a 0.3 per cent. cut in employers' national insurance contributions. The information requested is given in the following table.
	
		Climate change levy (CCL) revenues and value of 0.3 per cent. cut in employers' national insurance contributions (NICs) -- £ million
		
			   CCL revenues(10) Value of 0.3 per cent. cut in employers' NICs(11) 
		
		
			 2001–02 771 1,035 
			 2002–03 826 1,125 
			 2003–04 816 1,185 
			 2004–05 (12)753 1,215 
			 2005–06 (13)800 1,275 
		
	
	(10)On accruals basis. Based on CCL declarations on trader returns.
	(11)Source: Based on HMT Tax Ready Reckoner.
	(12)Provisional
	(13)Expected
	The Government are committed to enabling pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. Reforms to pensioner tax and benefits since 1997 have meant that pensioners on average are £29 per week better off and the poorest third of pensioners are £39 per week better off than they would have been under the 1997 system.

Clostridium Difficile

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of deaths in each year since 2000 that were attributable to Clostridium difficile; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Lidington, dated 13 June 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate has been made of the number of deaths in each year since 2000 that were attributable to Clostridium difficile. (3764)
	In the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), deaths involving enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile can all be identified from the code A04.7. Enterocolitis is the commonest illness caused by C. difficile infection. For causes other than enterocolitis that are also known to be associated with C. difficile, it is not possible to identify from ICD codes alone the number of deaths where C. difficile actually contributed to the death. For this reason, the only routinely available mortality statistics on C. difficile are those where it was associated with enterocolitis.
	The table below gives total mentions of C. difficile enterocolitis and the number where it was also the underlying cause of death for 2001 onwards. Comparable figures are not currently available before 2001, because no specific code exists in the Ninth Revision of the ICD.
	The Office for National Statistics is working with the Health Protection Agency on a special study to identify the total number of deaths where C. difficile was mentioned on the death certificate.
	
		Number of deaths where enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile was mentioned on the death certificate and the number of these mentions where it was also the underlying cause of death,(14) England and Wales, 2001–03(15)
		
			  Total mentions Underlying cause 
		
		
			 2001 1,199 674 
			 2002 1,417 751 
			 2003 1,748 934 
		
	
	(14)Selected using the code A04.7 from the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10)
	(15)Figures are for deaths occurring in the years 2001 to 2003.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

EC Budget

Kate Hoey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the European Community Finances Statement on the EC budget for 2005.

Ivan Lewis: The annual European Community Finances" White Paper (Statement on the 2005 EC Budget and measures to counter fraud and financial mismanagement") will be published on 23 June.

Finance Bodies (Orphan Assets)

Charles Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the estimated value is of the orphan assets of banks, building societies and insurance companies in the UK; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he has plans to confiscate the orphan assets of the financial services sector; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Government announced in Budget 2005 that they continue to believe that it is right in principle that more should be done to reunite assets with their owners. Where assets and their owners cannot be reunited, the Government believe that the assets should be reinvested in society, as long as the original owners' entitlements to reclaim are preserved. As the Budget noted, the Government are engaged in constructive discussions with the banking industry to take this forward.
	Looking ahead, the Government expect to agree with industry a common definition of an unclaimed asset, and for the industry to search their records and to set out the full value of their assets so defined, by the time of the 2005 pre-Budget report. The Government also expect the industry to explore what more could be done to reunite owners and assets, including the possibility of a National Register, and to set out how they will achieve this by the time of the 2005 pre-Budget report.

First-time Buyers (Northern Ireland)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his recently-announced shared-ownership scheme to help first time buyers who have been priced out of the housing market will extend to Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: I have been asked to reply.
	The recently announced proposals are designed to address particular problems in England and will not apply in Northern Ireland. A shared ownership scheme—the Co-ownership scheme—already operates in Northern Ireland. The scheme assists first time buyers on marginal incomes to become home owners. The Department for Social Development has secured additional funding over the next three years for the scheme to provide almost £39 million over the period. This will help support around 2,400 applicants over the period.

G8 Summit

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken in the preparation for the G8 Summit to extend debt cancellation to (a) Peru and (b) other highly indebted countries with large numbers living in absolute poverty which are not on the Highly Indebted Poor Countries list; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The debt of heavily indebted poor countries is addressed under the Heavily Indebted PoorCountries' Initiative (HIPC). The UK continues to be absolutely committed to the rapid and full implementation of the HIPC Initiative to ensure that it delivers maximum debt relief for the world's poorest countries.
	The appropriate process for official bilateral creditors to tackle the debt problems of non-HIPC countries facing external debt problems is through the Paris Club's Evian Approach.
	Peru has rescheduled its external debt to Paris Club eight times since 1968. The last rescheduling was in 1996. Peru has not requested any further debt relief from Paris Club creditors since then. If Peru were to do so, and its request was accepted, the UK would deliver its share of any debt relief agreed in the Paris Club.

Income Statistics (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average annual income was perperson in each London borough in each year since 1997.

John Healey: Information on average annual income in each London borough for the years 1999–2000 to 2002–03 can be found in Total income by borough and district or unitary authority (Table 3.14)" at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#314
	Similar information for 1997–98 and 1998–99 is not available.

International Finance Facility

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the incoming President of the World Bank on the international finance facility.

Ivan Lewis: The IFF now has the support of almost 80 countries, including all the European members of the G7. The IFF has been discussed widely with the World Bank, including at the recent G8 Finance Ministers' Summit. The World Bank and IMF have noted that the IFF is technically feasible and the most advanced proposal to frontload aid and the 2005 World Bank Development Committee Communique" noted that:
	... the analysis of technical feasibility of the IFF has created the conditions for the necessary political decisions on participation. We encourage interested donors to proceed with these proposals."

Late Tax Payment

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's policy is on (a) refunds, (b) compensation and (c) cancellation of interest payments for late payment of tax when the tax authorities find they have been in error in the amount levied.

Ivan Lewis: The policy concerning financial redress in cases of error or delay by the former Inland Revenue is set out in their published Code of Practice 1 (COP1). The policy of the former HM Customs and Excise can be found in Notice 1000. Both leaflets can be viewed on the HM Revenue and Customs website. They will be replaced shortly with a new leaflet setting out the policy for the whole of HM Revenue and Customs.

Personal Wealth

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of personal wealth per head of population in each (a) region and (b) nation of the United Kingdom.

John Healey: The information requested falls with the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 13 June 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the current level of personal wealth per head of population in the regions and countries of the United Kingdom. (2837)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compile total net worth for the household sector only for the United Kingdom as a whole and not for individual regions or countries. The latest estimates are for 2003, published as part of the 2004 edition of the UK National Accounts—The Blue Book. Estimates for 2004 will be published on 22 July 2005.
	
		Table A: 
		
			  United Kingdom household sector net worth 2003 
		
		
			 Total household net worth (£ billion) 5,477.8 
			 Household net worth per head of  population (£) 91,480 
		
	
	The total net worth is the sum of total non-financial assets and financial assets at the end of the reference period.
	The household sector covers households, sole trader enterprises and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISHs), such as charities.
	ONS do compile estimates of regional household income, the key series being gross disposable household income (GDHI). That is the amount of money that households have available for consumption expenditure or saving. The latest estimates are for 2003 and are consistent with the 2004 edition of the UK National Accounts. These are shown in table B.
	
		Table B: Gross disposable household income for 2003
		
			 Geography Total GDHI (£ million) GDHI per head of population (£) 
		
		
			 United Kingdom(16) 750,946 12,610 
			 North East 27,393 10,787 
			 North West 78,652 11,559 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 57,415 11,462 
			 East Midlands 49,377 11,612 
			 West Midlands 61,455 11,552 
			 East of England 74,762 13,685 
			 London 112,551 15,235 
			 South East 115,267 14,265 
			 South West 63,511 12,704 
			 Wales 32,720 11.137 
			 Scotland 59,439 11,753 
			 Northern Ireland 18,403 10,809 
		
	
	(16)Excludes GDHI from the extra regio" category which covers the contribution to GDHI from UK embassy staff and forces personnel stationed overseas

Premium Bonds

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions since 1995 the odds have been lengthened for winning on a premium bond holding; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The odds on winning a prize on a premium bond holding have lengthened on 18 occasions since 1995, primarily as a result of a fall in interest rates during that period, which affects the overall size of the prize rate fund. The odds have also shortened six times since 1995.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Licensing Act

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the likelihood of all licensed premises having applied for a new licence by 6 August.

James Purnell: There can be no guarantee that every business which needs to apply for grandfather rights under the Licensing Act 2003 will do so by 6 August. But I am monitoring the position closely with local authorities and the hospitality industry, and my Department is doing all that it reasonably can to ensure that all relevant businesses are aware of the deadline. I am confident that this will result in a high proportion of applications being made on time.

Licensing Act

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received from amateur sports and community clubs regarding the Licensing Act 2003.

James Purnell: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received many representations on this subject. The Government have actively supported Community Amateur Sports Clubs through Lottery funding and tax benefits over recent years, and is taking full account of their concerns in implementing the Act. My officials are working closely with sport's representative bodies, and last met the Central Council for Physical Recreation on 5 April 2005.

Licensing Act

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the application of the Licensing Act 2003 to carnivals.

James Purnell: The Act affects street carnivals only to the extent that any licensable activities, such as the provision of regulated entertainment or sale of alcohol, takes place. Where no licensable activities, as defined in the Act, are involved no licence is required. Given that carnivals are not mentioned within the Act, and the varied nature of each individual carnival, it is not possible to give a definitive, single answer as to whether carnivals are licensable or not. The Licensing Act devolves determination of these matters to the licensing authorities.

Licensing Act

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received from the Local Government Association regarding the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003.

James Purnell: Representations have regularly been made by the Local Government Association at meetings of an advisory group, held by my officials, of which the Association is a member. The Advisory Group most recently met on 16 February, 15 March, 19 April and 16 May. I also chair a High Level Group to ensure the smooth running of the implementation of the 2003 Act on which the Association is also represented. That group met on 22 March, 4 May and 23 May 2005. My Department continues to work closely with the Association, and other local authority representatives, on the implementation of the 2003 Act.

Licensing Act

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications have been made in (a) South Shropshire and (b) Bridgnorth district council areas for the new licences introduced by the Licensing Act 2003; what estimate she has made of the number of applications in each council area which remain to be made; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: Information on the number of applications for converting existing licences into premises licences and club premises certificates received to date by licensing authorities under the Licensing Act 2003 is not kept by my Department. Licensing authorities, which are in the main local authorities, are responsible for administering and enforcing the new regime, which will come into effect in November. Information on local licence application levels should be available from the respective district or borough council.

Music (Government Support)

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on Government support for music.

David Lammy: The Government are committed to supporting music in all its forms. We are achieving this through increased investment—funding to music through Arts Council England has more than doubled since 1997 to over £100 million this year.
	The Music Manifesto, launched in 2004, is bringing the music sector together to support our aims for music education.
	We have set up the Creative Industries Intellectual Property Forum to look at IP issues affecting the creative sector including music.
	And, through the Live Music Forum, we are working to ensure that opportunities for the promotion of live music are realised to the full.

London Olympic Bid

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on progress with the London bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

Tessa Jowell: London's bid is in great shape. The publication of the International Olympic Committee's evaluation report last Monday reflects that. We are in a very strong position and we will be doing everything we can over the coming weeks to secure the greatest prize in sport.

London Olympic Bid

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the planned sources of funding for the London Olympic Games are; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: The costs of staging and operating the Games would be met by income from ticket sales, sponsorship and licensing and by a contribution from the International Olympic Committee.
	To meet the infrastructure and capital costs of preparing for the Games, the Government and the Mayor of London have agreed a public sector funding package of up to £2.375 billion.

London Olympic Bid

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the requirement for further infrastructure development to achieve a successful Olympic games in London in 2012.

Tessa Jowell: The candidature file submitted to the IOC in November 2004 included assessments of both the sporting infrastructure and of the services and utilities requirements within the Olympic park.

Slave Trade Abolition (Anniversary Celebration)

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to commemorate the 200th anniversary in 2007 of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.

David Lammy: We are considering with Home Office colleagues how best to mark the occasion but a great deal of work is already in hand. My Department will meet the £250,000 per year running costs of the new Slavery Gallery in Liverpool, due to open in 2007. Many of our museums and galleries and heritage sites are planning to mark the anniversary with special exhibitions and educational programmes.

Sport (Equality of Access)

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress is being made on ensuring equality of access in sport.

Richard Caborn: The Government are committed to promoting equality of access in sport for all, and are implementing a range of measures to help achieve this.
	We have a PSA target to increase participation within priority groups of the general population, by 3 per cent. by 2008. At present, existing data on the levels of participation in the population are variable. However, we will measure progress on our target via a DCMS participation survey from autumn 2005.
	In schools, our joint target with the DfES is to enhance the take-up of sporting opportunities by 5 to 16-year-olds so that the percentage of schoolchildren in England who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum increases from 25 per cent. in 2002 to 75 per cent. by 2006, and 85 per cent. by 2008, and to at least 75 per cent. in each School Sport Partnership by 2006. The Equality Standard for Sport, launched last year, is a framework to guide sports and community organisations towards achieving equality. Its aim is to widen access and increase the participation and involvement in sport and physical activity from under-represented individuals, groups, and communities.

Broadcasting Regulations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with Ofcom on the regulation of standards of decency in broadcasting.

James Purnell: Decisions on broadcast programme standards are a matter for Ofcom to determine independently of Government, according to the provisions of the Broadcasting and Communications Acts.
	The Secretary of State was briefed by Ofcom about their proposals for the regulation of standards in broadcast content prior to publication of the new programme code.

Sporting Events (Policing Charges)

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received from sporting bodies about charges for policing major events; and what steps she is taking in conjunction with other Government Departments to ensure that such costs are, as far as practicable, (a)affordable and (b) in line with charges for other sporting and public events.

Richard Caborn: I have recently received representations from Wigan Athletic A.F.C and the organisers of the Unity Cup about police charges for sporting events.
	My Department continues to work closely with the Home Office about police charging for sporting events to ensure that as far as practical, such costs are fair and reasonable.

Active Spaces Scheme

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the costs have been of the development and operation of the Active Spaces scheme; and how many people have used it to date.

Richard Caborn: Active Places is a free to use, on-line database of sports facilities in England.
	The cost of Active Places will be £5.2 million over three years. These costs cover the initial development, updating of the data and hosting of the system. Active Places is joint funded by The Big Lottery Fund and Sport England.
	The Active Places website had 106,576 visits in the period from its launch in July 2004 to April 2005. The Active Places database can be found on www.activeplaces.com

Analogue Transmissions

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects analogue transmissions to be switched off.

James Purnell: As we said in our manifesto, we will achieve digital switchover between 2008 and 2012 ensuring universal access to high-quality, free-to-view and subscription digital TV. This will happen region by region, and we will make sure that the interests of elderly people and other vulnerable groups are protected.

Arts Promotion

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government is taking to promote (a) theatre and (b) classical music.

David Lammy: Government funding for the arts is channelled through Arts Council England (ACE), which operates at arm's length from the Government.
	Arts Council England currently provide regular funding for 248 theatre companies in England, including producing and touring companies and presenting theatres. ACE have also published the National Policy for Theatre in England which provides a strategic framework and identifies priorities for both ACE and the sector.
	Arts Council England currently provide regular funding of over £24 million for 68 classical music organisations. As well as increasing support for opera and symphony orchestras since 1998–99, ACE have increased support to chamber orchestras by almost 50 per cent. since 2003–04.

Departmental Union Representation

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many trade union learning representatives there are in her Department.

Richard Caborn: There are currently no trade union learning representatives in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Faith Awareness Training

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many civil servants in theDepartment received faith awareness training in 2004.

Richard Caborn: All DCMS staff receive mandatory equal opportunities training which covers religion and belief. We have also issued detailed guidance to all staff.

Faith Communities

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent consultations have been carried out by her Department with representatives of faith communities; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: One of the four Strategic Priorities of the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) is to
	increase and broaden the impact of culture and sport, to enrich individual lives, strengthen communities and improve the places where people live, now and for future generations".
	Implicit in this is a commitment to ensure that all of our sectors, be it arts, sport, heritage, museums, libraries and archives reflect and are accessible by the wide range of communities in the UK including people of all faiths and none. Also one of the 10 commitments in our Five-Year Plan published this year is that we will consult the public on an unprecedented scale ensuring that we are open and accountable.
	Faith communities have been an explicit key part of recent public consultations including the Lottery, BBC Royal Charter review, the Ecclesiastical Exemption Review and the Olympics.
	DCMS Ministers and officials met with representatives of faith communities on a number of occasions in 2003–05 to discuss their views about the Gambling Bill.
	DCMS also worked closely with the faith community in developing policies for the Communications Act, notably in relation to allowing religious groups to hold broadcasting licences.
	The Central Religious Advisory Committee has been established to advise the BBC and Ofcom on religious broadcasting policy and comment on programmes once broadcast. Ofcom have also recently conducted research among people of different faiths about their perceptions of broadcast media.
	12 of the 132 responses to our recent Culture at the Heart of Regeneration consultation were from faith based organisations.
	Bodies such as the British Library have also been careful to consult faith representatives in the appropriate display of objects from those faiths.

Gambling Act

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has for secondary legislation under the Gambling Act 2005.

Richard Caborn: We plan to bring forward subordinate legislation over the next two years with a view to bringing the Act fully into force in September 2007.

Gambling Act

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from what date local authorities will be able to make a resolution not to issue licences for casinos under the Gambling Act 2005.

Richard Caborn: This date has yet to be determined. But any resolution will only apply to casino premises licences issued under the Act. The target date for such licences having effect is September 2007.

Gambling Act

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the role of the South East Regional Assembly is with regards to the Gambling Act 2005.

Richard Caborn: The Act provides for the Secretary of State to designate areas in which local authorities may issue premises licences for new-style regional, large or small casinos. The Secretary of State will designate areas in the first phase on the basis of advice from an independent advisory panel. In respect of possible locations in the South East the panel will have the opportunity to consider the views of the Assembly.

Gambling Act

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by what criteria casino licences will be allocated under the Gambling Act 2005.

Richard Caborn: Casino operating and premises licences will be awarded by the Gambling Commission and licensing authorities on the basis of the principles set out in sections 70 and 153 of the 2005 Act respectively. Where there are more premises licence applications which meet the criteria than available licences, the authority will make its decision on the basis of which of the competing applications would in its opinion be likely to result in the greatest benefits to its area.

Gambling Act

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her Department plans to produce guidance for local authorities on their powers under the Gambling Act 2005 to pass a resolution not to issue a casino licence.

Richard Caborn: We shall be discussing the need for guidance with the local authority associations.

Laptop Computers

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many laptop computers have been used by (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in her Department in each year since 1995; how many have been (i) lost and (ii) stolen in that period; what the cost was of the use of laptops in that period; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The information is as follows.
	(a) No laptops have ever been issued to Ministers by my Department.
	(b) Special advisers have used two laptops in the last two years. Prior to that no departmental laptops were used by special advisers.
	(c) Due to the turnover of staff and equipment, we do not hold records of laptop loans back to 1995. Our records show that DCMS currently has 109 laptops. Since 1998, the number of laptops lost by staff or stolen from staff is:
	(i) Five lost
	(ii) Two stolen.
	No laptops have been stolen by staff.
	Records of cost of use of equipment could not be collated without disproportionate cost.

Licensing (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) pubs and (b) night clubs have had their licences removed in each London borough in each year since 1997.

James Purnell: Data on licence revocations is collected every three years. This is collated by Court or Petty Session Division, rather than by borough or other local authority area. The data also relates to public houses only.
	The total numbers of licences revoked in England and Wales, and in Greater London, were as follows for the years in which data has been collected since 1997 (all figures refer to the year ended 30 June):
	
		
			  1998 2001 2004 
		
		
			 England and Wales 165 99 186 
			 Of which:
			 Greater London Not available 5 8 
		
	
	The figures for Greater London are analysed as follows:
	2001 (by Court):
	East Central (1 revocation: Highbury Corner)
	South Westminster (1: Horseferry Road)
	West London (1: West London)
	Outer London (2: one each in Barnet and Havering)
	2004 (by Petty Session Division):
	North and South Westminster (2)
	Barking (1)
	Hackney and Tower Hamlets (2)
	Haringey (1)
	Harrow (1)
	Wandsworth (1)

Lottery (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many National Lottery grants were given in each London borough in the last five years; and what the total value was.

Richard Caborn: The figures are shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley Brent Bromley Camden 
		
		
			 2000   
			 Value (£) 1,813,12 7,343,012 811,786 2,873,930 2,560,062 49,976,818 
			 Number 47 111 51 87 78 192 
			
			 2001   
			 Value (£) 4,309,620 3,415,387 1,644,953 4,530,661 2,246,778 34,201,357 
			 Number 43 73 29 81 58 178 
			
			 2002   
			 Value (£) 5,287,510 3,941,772 5,996,042 13,082,506 2,113,724 12,403,143 
			 Number 42 85 52 99 77 165 
			
			 2003   
			 Value (£) 2,543,480 2,194,425 1,116,854 4,470,259 2,616,114 32,798,494 
			 Number 75 78 29 103 65 213 
			
			 2004   
			 Value (£) 3,348,471 1,891,593 1,909,612 5,874,536 1,663,514 16,554,214 
			 Number 59 101 47 74 107 181 
			
			 2005 to date   
			 Value (£) 191,490 542,422 53,466 66,975 1,147,084 3,236,024 
			 Number 11 35 19 17 53 40 
		
	
	
		
			  City of London Croydon Ealing Enfield Greenwich Hackney 
		
		
			 2000   
			 Value (£) 982,252 5,435,244 2,711,076 1,273,193 14,401,969 5,967,748 
			 Number 8 94 71 62 96 144 
			
			 2001   
			 Value (£) 1,294,775 6,166,043 5,679,631 10,879,493 11,266,510 25,724,225 
			 Number 9 93 77 73 104 163 
			
			 2002   
			 Value (£) 2,934,793 2,885,745 3,914,013 2,151,941 6,576,662 14,901,958 
			 Number 13 86 83 89 126 199 
			
			 2003   
			 Value (£) 1,770,532 4,434,045 4,474,451 3,936,229 10,226,881 14,764,838 
			 Number 20 110 83 103 96 224 
			
			 2004   
			 Value (£) 2,321,859 1,289,672 1,660,605 11,268,932 3,232,473 6,204,253 
			 Number 17 117 81 82 88 182 
			
			 2005 to date   
			 Value (£) 116,986 130,901 1,151,627 760,095 16,000,328 2,029,636 
			 Number 2 31 12 28 30 34 
		
	
	
		
			  Hammersmith and Fulham Haringey Harrow Havering Hillingdon Hounslow 
		
		
			 2000   
			 Value (£) 7,579,310 5,344,200 1,869,668 388,817 675,171 4,866,736 
			 Number 73 105 60 44 39 104 
			
			 2001   
			 Value (£) 16,040,691 9,607,805 1,374,048 988,103 1,601,905 2,342,117 
			 Number 68 96 38 30 41 46 
			
			 2002   
			 Value (£) 6,262,705 7,085,414 3,381,229 1,239,835 3,189,996 3,565,668 
			 Number 86 100 50 39 45 78 
			
			 2003   
			 Value (£) 4,190,496 3,275,527 1,813,133 1,464,325 1,632,283 3,536,130 
			 Number 75 138 65 70 39 53 
			
			 2004   
			 Value (£) 18,559,136 4,190,798 1,030,534 561,905 3,961,039 2,354,669 
			 Number 78 117 52 62 63 55 
			
			 200 to date   
			 Value (£) 716,662 1,136,432 127,542 985,553 181,779 65,180 
			 Number 18 15 20 34 18 11 
		
	
	
		
			  Newham Redbridge Richmond upon Thames Southwark Sutton Tower Hamlets 
		
		
			 2000   
			 Value (£) 3,439,356 278,165 2,531,802 9,656,444 1,092, 823 19,881,127 
			 Number 87 51 54 213 49 168 
			
			 2001   
			 Value (£) 15,357,473 2,022,975 4,365,199 13,983,576 4,963, 318 16,835,823 
			 Number 92 47 33 193 35 141 
			
			 2002   
			 Value (£) 10,681,257 3,981,773 1,440,621 10,994,932 3,057, 242 13,037,675 
			 Number 126 80 50 177 32 194 
			
			 2003   
			 Value (£) 5,484,270 1,406,239 7,102,254 19,415,890 1,610, 387 9,081,972 
			 Number 138 61 45 193 31 199 
			 2004   
			 Value (£) 2,937,101 3,617,751 3,786,674 10,428,846 1,687, 329 9,777,955 
			 Number 76 40 39 167 48 163 
			
			 2005 to date   
			 Value (£) 409,210 55,055 73,063 2,060,180 69,993 2,853,244 
			 Number 23 22 17 31 20 35 
		
	
	
		
			  Waltham Forest Wandsworth Westminster 
		
		
			 2000
			 Value (£) 2,519,605 6,224,978 20,665,288 
			 Number 105 99 142 
			 
			 2001
			 Value (£) 3,755,715 6,486,063 55,386,725 
			 Number 73 73 137 
			 
			 2002
			 Value (£) 2,252,251 4,931,570 50,967,681 
			 Number 93 92 137 
			 
			 2003
			 Value (£) 10,415,552 8,116,891 36,636,182 
			 Number 134 86 133 
			 
			 2004
			 Value (£) 5,728,391 4,927,863 12,706,735 
			 Number 86 76 128 
			 
			 200 to date
			 Value (£) 826,698 470,658 3,452,850 
			 Number 22 28 63 
		
	
	The 'location' of the project is based on the postcode given by the applicant, which is not necessarily where the benefit of the award will be felt. For example no single London borough would describe where a theatre tour took place.

Museum Security

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with (a) the Victoria and Albert Museum and (b) other national museums on security in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: The V&A has discussed the need to bring forward planned investment in security. We have facilitated this and work is now under way. We have also provided some additional funding to support interim measures.
	We advised sponsored museums in a letter of 5 November 2004 to undertake an urgent review of their existing security arrangements to establish whether any changes were needed. Subsequent attempts at theft from the British Museum and the Science Museum were foiled.
	Following discussions with the Wallace Collection we allocated additional funds in February 2005 to enhance security at the museum.

Pigeon Racing

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will press for pigeon racing to be recognised as a sport.

Richard Caborn: Decisions on whether particular activities and pastimes should be recognised as sports for official and funding purposes are made by unanimous agreement between the home country sportscouncils. As such it would be inappropriate for Government to intervene.
	In the first instance, I would recommend a submission to the relevant sports council, outlining the case for pigeon racing. The sports council will be able to provide information on the criteria for recognition of an activity as a sport.

Race Relations (Amendment) Act

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of staff in her Department have received training on the general and specific duties of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, broken down by (a) ethnicity and (b) grade.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport delivers mandatory diversity training to all staff as part of the induction process which includes a session on the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. The total number of staff in post is 520 and the breakdown by (a) ethnicity and (b) grade is as follows.
	
		Percentage
		
			 Grade Ethnic minority(17) 
		
		
			 SCS 4 
			 Grade A 4 
			 Grade B 9 
			 Grade C 16 
			 Grade D 30 
		
	
	(17)Ethnic minority staff as a percentage of staff who have declared their ethnicity rather than a percentage of total staff in post.

Race Relations (Amendment) Act

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements are in place to ensure that bodies within the responsibility of her Department comply with the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of its work. In 2002 we published the DCMS Race Equality Scheme setting out how we would meet both our general and specific duties under the Race Relations Act. At that time we also made our non-departmental bodies and other sponsored bodies aware of their responsibilities under the Act. The Race Equality Scheme is to be reviewed this year, and that review will include consideration of future monitoring procedures.

Racism in Football

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government is taking to tackle racism in football.

Richard Caborn: The Government believes that there is no place for racism in football or in wider society.
	The Government fully supports the initiatives undertaken by football, including the campaign Kick it Out and the charity Show Racism the Red Card, to help eradicate racism from the sport.
	Through the Football Foundation, the Government (with its funding partners the FA and FA Premier League) provides £155,000 to the Kick it Out campaign, and £161,000 to Show Racism the Red Card.

Sport Across Staffordshire

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much public money has been given to Sport Across Staffordshire in the last five years.

Richard Caborn: The information you requested is provided in the following table:
	
		Sport across Staffordshire funding -- £
		
			 Year commitment made 
			 Award programme Lottery Exchequer Total 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Active sports 1,319,945 — 1,319,945 — 860,463 459,482 — — 
			 County sports — — — — — — — — 
			 Core funding 69,040 — 69,040 — — — — 69,040 
			 Exchequer grant — 13,000 13,000 — — — 10,000 3,000 
			 CSCS — 214,112 214,112 — — — 80,638 133,474 
			 Step into sport — 21,775 21,775 — — — — 21,775 
			 Club links — 6,500 6,500 — — — — 6,500 
			 Total 1,388,985 255,387 1,644,372 0 860,463 459,482 90,638 233,789

Sports Cabinet

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what dates the Sports Cabinet has met in the last two years; and who attended each meeting.

Richard Caborn: Since June 2003 the Sports Cabinet has met on 23 October 2003 and 20 April 2004. Ministerial attendance at both the October and April meetings was: right hon. Tessa Jowell MP, right hon. Richard Caborn MP, Alun Pugh AM, Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport (Welsh Assembly); Frank McAveety MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport (Scottish Executive); Angela Smith MP, (Northern Ireland). In addition, the following chairs of the Sports Councils also attended both meetings: Sue Campbell, UK Sport, Patrick Carter, Sport England, Professor Eric Saunders, Sports Council for Northern Ireland, Alistair Dempster, SportScotland. Anne Ellis, acting chair, Sports Council for Wales, attended the October meeting while Philip Carling, chair, Sports Council for Wales, attended the April meeting. In addition the following officials attended the October meeting to provide support to their respective Minister: Alec McGivan, Paul Heron, Debbie Lye, Colin Gibson, Margaret Evans, Arthur Emyr, John Gilmour, Karen Mitchell and Jack Palmer. Those officials who attended the April meeting were: Paul Bolt, Paul Heron, Stephen Hodgson, Colin Gibson, Margaret Evans, Arthur Emyr, John Gilmour, Dr. Aideen McGinley and Jack Palmer.

Swimming Pools (Parental Supervision)

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress is being made in resolving issues surrounding parental supervision of children in swimming pools.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport met with key partners on 5 April to discuss the issues around supervision of children in swimming pools and will be announcing shortly the series of measures that were agreed at the meeting to resolve the problem.

Swimming Pools (Parental Supervision)

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government have taken to review the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management guidelines on parental supervision of children in swimming pools.

Richard Caborn: The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) is an independent organisation and the Government have no authority to review the guidance it provides for its members.
	However, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport met with key partners, including the ISRM, on 5 April to discuss the issues around supervision of children. The scope for inappropriate application of ISRM's guidance was among the issues discussed. The Department will be announcing shortly the series of measures that were agreed at the meeting to resolve the problem.

Swimming Pools (Parental Supervision)

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the Government have taken steps to instigate research into the requirement for parental supervision of children in swimming baths.

Richard Caborn: Following the meeting of 5 April with key experts, the Government will set out shortly the steps being taken to further research the issue of parental supervision in swimming pools.

Swimming Pools (Parental Supervision)

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the outcome was of the meeting on 5 April between her Department, the Health and Safety Executive and the Right to Swim Campaign.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will circulate a note of the meeting to attendees shortly alongside announcing the measures agreed at the meeting to deal with the issue of child admission policies for swimming pools.

Television Licences (Northern Ireland)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many successful prosecutions there have been of people for operating a television without a valid television licence in each Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years.

James Purnell: The information requested is not available.

Wembley

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the construction of Wembley Stadium.

Richard Caborn: We have been assured that Wembley Stadium will be completed in time to host the FA cup final in May 2006, as originally planned.
	This is an extremely complex project that will ensure that Wembley remains one of the world's great sporting venues and a fitting stadium for football in the 21st century.

Wembley

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date officials from her Department last met the Football Association to discuss Wembley Stadium.

Richard Caborn: DCMS officials attended the scheduled meeting of the Wembley National Stadium Primary Stakeholders Group on 17 May 2005. A representative of the Football Association was present at that meeting.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Agents

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) services and (b) advice UK Trade and Investment gives to companies with regard to the use of agents.

Ian Pearson: As part of UK Trade and Investment's overarching business support role, companies are advised on the most effective ways of employing agents. This advice is given on a case-by-case basis and may include training programmes, mentoring by UKTI's international trade advisers, trade seminars or referral to trade associations and chambers of commerce.

Agents

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) security checks, (b) vetting procedures and (c) other precautions are taken by UK Trade and Investment before an agent is included on the list of agents it provides to British companies.

Ian Pearson: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) do not hold a central list of agents or any other potential business partners. Bespoke lists of agents and other potential business partners can be provided direct to UKTI customers at their request. UKTI customers are then expected to undertake their own due diligence. UKTI provide support and advice on how to trade internationally but do not make commercial judgments for a company. Specific advice on agent's validity or appropriateness is ultimately a commercial judgment for the company.

Arms Sales (Indonesia)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ask the National Audit Office to conduct an investigation into the Export Credits Guarantee Department's decision to underwrite the Alvis armoured vehicle and Hawk deals with Indonesia, with particular reference to the role of agents.

Ian Pearson: On 25 February 2005 the National Audit Office (NAO) met with the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) to discuss the decision to underwrite the Alvis armoured vehicle and Hawk deals with Indonesia and to review certain papers supporting the decision.
	On 3 May, having satisfied itself that ECGD had complied with the assessment procedures in force at the time the applications for export cover referred to above were being considered, the NAO wrote to ECGD to confirm that it did not intend to make any further inquiries at this time.

Bankruptcies

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) personal and (b) company bankruptcies there were in each London borough in each of the last three years for which figures are available; what assessment the Department has made of recent changes in the numbers; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table records the numbers of individual bankruptcy orders and company compulsory liquidations in the London region classified according to official receivers' offices from 2002 to 2004.
	Figures are not separately available for each London borough.
	
		Numbers of compulsory insolvencies recorded in the London official receivers offices, 2002—04l
		
			 Annual totals Bankruptcy orders Company compulsory liquidations 
		
		
			 2002 1,457 1,147 
			 2003 1,933 864 
			 2004 4,246 1,114 
		
	
	(18)The 2004 London figure includes Public Interest Unit (PIU) and Carousel, which together amount to 15 bankruptcies and 120 company compulsory liquidations

Bankruptcies

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Tradeand Industry how many (a) individuals and (b) companies were declared bankrupt in each of the past five years in (i) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (ii)England.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Compulsory insolvency figures are only available on the basis of the official receivers' office dealing with the cases, therefore it is not possible to separate those pertaining to the East Riding of Yorkshire or England exactly. (i) The first table gives annual figures for the number of individual bankruptcies and company compulsory liquidations dealt with by the official receivers' office in Hull, which covers the county courts of Beverley, Great Grimsby, Grimsby, Hull, Kingston-upon-Hull, Malton, Scarborough, Scunthorpe, Whitby and York. The Hull office covers the majority of the East Riding of Yorkshire but also includes a number of county courts from neighbouring counties/unitary authorities. A small part of the East Riding of Yorkshire (the county court of Goole) is administered by the official receivers' office at Sheffield.
	
		Compulsory insolvencies registered at the official receivers' office in Hull, 2000–04
		
			  Individual bankruptcies Company compulsory liquidations 
		
		
			 2000 796 91 
			 2001 907 86 
			 2002 926 96 
			 2003 906 96 
			 2004 1,129 72 
		
	
	(ii) The table gives the totals for individual bankruptcies and company compulsory liquidations for official receivers' offices located in England for the past five years. This may not provide an accurate record of the numbers of bankrupt individuals actually resident in England or insolvent companies registered in England, because the boundaries of the official receivers' offices differ from those for standard geographies.
	
		Compulsory insolvencies registered at the official receivers' office in England, 2000–04
		
			  Individual bankruptcies Company compulsory liquidations 
		
		
			 2000 20,522 4,734 
			 2001 22,526 4,508 
			 2002 23,274 6,046 
			 2003 26,967 5,065 
			 2004 34,628 4,444

Centrica plc

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with Centrica plc about the provision of an energy park at Langage, Plymouth, pursuant to the terms of the licence granted by his Department.

Malcolm Wicks: None.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Minister signed the coal health agreements in 1999 with (a) Vendside and (b) the Union of Democratic Mineworkers.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 8 June 2005
	The then Minister for Energy and Industry, the right hon. Member for Leeds, West approved the signing, by coal health claims officials, of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Vibration White Finger handling agreements.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings have taken place between his Department and Clare Walker of Vendside since 1998.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 8 June 2005
	Officials from the Department's Coal Liabilities Unit meet with the UDM to discuss operational issues on approximately a monthly basis. Other ad hoc meetings have taken place when necessary.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations have been instigated by his Department into (a) Walker and Co (Claims Management) Ltd. and (b) Indiclaim Ltd. concerning charging for coalminers compensation.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 8 June 2005
	The Department has not instigated any investigations into either Walker and Co (Claims Management) Ltd. or Indiclaim Ltd.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which 20 solicitors received the highest number of deceased miners' claims in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004.

Malcolm Wicks: The solicitors who received the most claims in relation to deceased miners are as set out in the following tables:
	
		Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease2001
		
			  Number  Solicitors(19) Claims registered(20) 
		
		
			 1 Mark Gilbert Morse 4,269 
			 2 Thompsons 1,314 
			 3 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 895 
			 4 Hugh James Ford Simey 822 
			 5 Raleys Solicitors 564 
			 6 Browell Smith and Co 489 
			 7 Moss Solicitors 170 
			 8 Graysons 169 
			 9 Beresfords Solicitors 166 
			 10 Watson Burton 155 
			 11 Meloy Whittle Robinson 123 
			 12 The Legal Warehouse 111 
			 13 J M Skinner Solicitors 108 
			 14 Ingrams Solicitors 87 
			 15 Corries 84 
			 16 Lopian Wagner Solicitors 74 
			 17 Towells Solicitors 74 
			 18 AMS Law 74 
			 19 Colemans Solicitors 70 
			 20 Mortons Solicitors 70 
		
	
	
		2002
		
			  Number  Solicitors(19) Claims registered(20) 
		
		
			 1 Thompsons 1,626 
			 2 Mark Gilbert Morse 781 
			 3 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 557 
			 4 Beresfords Solicitors 556 
			 5 Browell Smith and Co 439 
			 6 Raleys Solicitors 437 
			 7 The Legal Warehouse 234 
			 8 Corries 194 
			 9 Ingrams Solicitors 172 
			 10 Kidd and Spoor Harper Solicitors 152 
			 11 Moss Solicitors 134 
			 12 Graysons 126 
			 13 Hugh James Ford Simey 120 
			 14 Mortons Solicitors 117 
			 15 Avalon 84 
			 16 Gorvin Smith Fort 72 
			 17 Atteys 71 
			 18 Morisons Solicitors 62 
			 19 Emsleys Solicitors 60 
			 20 Pannone and Partners 55 
		
	
	
		2003
		
			  Number  Solicitors(19) Claims registered(20) 
		
		
			 1 Hugh James Ford Simey 13,999 
			 2 Beresfords Solicitors 10,160 
			 3 Barber and Co 7,084 
			 4 Mark Gilbert Morse 5,233 
			 5 Avalon 2,676 
			 6 Thompsons 2,248 
			 7 Watson Burton 2,109 
			 8 Onyems and Partners 1,547 
			 9 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 1,519 
			 10 Raleys Solicitors 1,306 
			 11 Corries 1,114 
			 12 Birchall Blackburn 1,077 
			 13 Ingrams Solicitors 1,000 
			 14 Browell Smith and Co 844 
			 15 Proddow and Mackay Solicitors 827 
			 16 The Legal Warehouse 820 
			 17 Gorman Hamilton Solicitors 696 
			 18 Wake Smith 646 
			 19 BRM Solicitors 594 
			 20 Kidd and Spoor Harper Solicitors 474 
		
	
	
		2004
		
			  Number  Solicitors(19) Claims registered(20) 
		
		
			 1 Hugh James Ford Simey 9,949 
			 2 Avalon 8,744 
			 3 Beresfords Solicitors 6,940 
			 4 Raleys Solicitors 5,777 
			 5 Thompsons 5,406 
			 6 Delta Legal 5,056 
			 7 Browell Smith and Co 4,682 
			 8 Birchall Blackburn 3,401 
			 9 Corries 2,790 
			 10 Mark Gilbert Morse 2,659 
			 11 Barber and Co 2,351 
			 12 Hilary Meredith Solicitors 1,927 
			 13 1 Legal Solicitors 1,850 
			 14 Recompense Ltd 1,722 
			 15 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 1,572 
			 16 Irwin Mitchell 1,551 
			 17 Bailey Bravo Jobling 1,532 
			 18 Ingrams Solicitors 1,308 
			 19 Gorman Hamilton Solicitors 1,188 
			 20 The Legal Warehouse 1,080 
		
	
	(19)Top twenty solicitors are in descending order and based on the number of claims received in the year. Claim receipts are those claims that are fully registered, i.e. exclude pool of claims accepted with minimum data, awaiting further information to permit cross-referencing and duplicate checks prior to full registration.
	(20)Claims registered reflects the total number of deceased claims registered, i.e. does not include claims that were registered live but have died since.
	
		Vibration white finger2001
		
			  Number  Solicitors(21) Claims registered(22) 
		
		
			 1 Browell Smith and Co 12 
			 2 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 8 
			 3 Thompsons 4 
			 4 The Paul Rooney Partnership 3 
			 5 Latham and Co Solicitors 3 
			 6 Graysons 1 
			 7 McConville O'Neill 1 
			 8 Colemans Solicitors 1 
			 9 Raleys Solicitors 1 
			 10 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 1 
			 11 Mark Gilbert Morse 1 
			 12 Keeble Hawson Moorhouse 1 
			 13 Frank Alien Pennington Solicitors 1 
			 14 Furley Page 1 
		
	
	
		2002
		
			  Number  Solicitors(21) Claims registered(22) 
		
		
			 1 Beresfords Solicitors 391 
			 2 Hugh James Ford Simey 349 
			 3 Thompsons 342 
			 4 Towells Solicitors 239 
			 5 Graysons 148 
			 6 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 147 
			 7 Moss Solicitors 97 
			 8 Raleys Solicitors 93 
			 9 AMS Law 76 
			 10 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 75 
			 11 The Legal Warehouse 56 
			 12 Browell Smith and Co 46 
			 13 Irwin Mitchell 42 
			 14 O H Parsons 27 
			 15 Motions Solicitors 22 
			 16 Ingrams Solicitors 18 
			 17 Pannone and Partners 15 
			 18 Meloy Whittle Robinson 15 
			 19 Atteys 15 
			 20 Keeble Hawson Moorhouse 12 
		
	
	
		2003
		
			  Number  Solicitors(21) Claims registered(22) 
		
		
			 1 Thompsons 208 
			 2 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 113 
			 3 Beresfords Solicitors 105 
			 4 Hugh James Ford Simey 78 
			 5 Watson Burton 77 
			 6 Raleys Solicitors 67 
			 7 Atteys 53 
			 8 Kidd and Spoor Harper Solicitors 53 
			 9 Graysons 42 
			 10 T S Edwards and Son Solicitors 40 
			 11 AMS Law 33 
			 12 The Legal Warehouse 31 
			 13 Hopkins 30 
			 14 Browell Smith and Co 26 
			 15 Corries 16 
			 16 Towells Solicitors 15 
			 17 Pannone and Partners 13 
			 18 Furley Page 13 
			 19 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 11 
			 20 Mortons Solicitors 11 
		
	
	
		2004
		
			  Number  Solicitors(21) Claims registered(22) 
		
		
			 1 AMS Law 5 
			 2 Beresfords Solicitors 1 
			 3 Corries 1 
			 4 Mortons Solicitors 1 
		
	
	(21)Top twenty solicitors are in descending order and based on the number of claims received in the year.
	(22)Claims registered reflects the total number of deceased claims registered, i.e. does not include claims that were registered live but have died since.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many deceased miners' claims were submitted by Vendside in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of claims submitted by Vendside is as follows:
	
		
			 Total deceased claims registered COPD VWF Total 
		
		
			 2003 59 113 172 
			 2004 46 0 46 
			 Total 105 113 218 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Claims registered reflects the total of deceased claims registered, i.e. does not include claims that were registered live but have died since.
	2.Claim receipts are those claims that are fully registered, i.e.exclude pool of claims accepted with minimum data, awaiting further information to permit cross-referencing and duplicate checks prior to full registration.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many deceased miners' claims were submitted by (a) Beresfords, (b) Wake Smith, (c) AMS Law and (d) Moss solicitors in 2004.

Malcolm Wicks: Deceased miners claims submitted in 2004 were as follows:
	
		
			 Solicitor COPD(23) VWF(23) 
		
		
			 AMS Law 816 5 
			 Beresfords Solicitors 6,940 1 
			 Moss Solicitors 125 0 
			 Wake Smith 87 0 
			 Total 7,968 6 
		
	
	(23)Claims registered reflects the total of deceased claims registered, i.e. does not include claims that were registered live but have died since.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requests he has made to Wake Smith solicitors to repay monies to his Department following payments by Wake Smith solicitors to Indiclaim Ltd in connection with the miners' industrial disease compensation scheme.

Malcolm Wicks: No such requests have been made.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many solicitors' firms have claimed back money from his Department while paying fees to (a) Walker and Co. Claims Management Ltd. and (b) Indiclaim Ltd. in connection with the miners' industrial disease compensation scheme.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department's claims handlers are not informed which solicitors' firms make payments to Walker and Co. Claims Management Ltd. and Indiclaim Ltd.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many deceased miners' claims were submitted from (a) Bassetlaw constituency, (b) Mansfield constituency, (c) Nottinghamshire, (d) East Midlands and (e) Yorkshire in (i) 2003 and (ii)2004.

Malcolm Wicks: The numbers requested are as follows:
	
		
			  2003 2004 
			 Solicitor COPD VWF COPD VWF 
		
		
			 Bassetlaw constituency 629 28 635 1 
			 Mansfield constituency 586 35 645 0 
			 Nottinghamshire,  
			 Derbyshire and Leicestershire 306 154 493 0 
			 Yorkshire 17,011 340 21,625 6 
			 Total 18,532 557 23,398 7 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Claims registered reflect the total of deceased claims registered, i.e. does not include claims that were registered live but have died since.
	2.Statistics for Bassetlaw and Mansfield are based on claimant postcode for the relative constituency. Statistics for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire and Yorkshire are based on deceased claims registered in that area by solicitor postcode.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims for dispersement payments have been refused to Richmonds solicitors.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department's claims handlers do not record this information.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department gave authority for the claims handling agreement with the Union of Democratic Mineworkers to be run by Vendside Ltd.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has always understood that Vendside are the Union for Democratic Mineworkers' claims handling agents and are therefore entitled to handle claims on its behalf.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions took place with the Treasury on the VAT implications of his Department's agreement with Vendside Ltd.

Malcolm Wicks: No such discussions have taken place.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has referred the matters connected with the Union of Democratic Mineworkers and Vendside Ltd. which it is investigating to the National Audit Office.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has made no such referral.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what audit his Department has (a) carried out and (b) commissioned into (i) whether there has been abuse of deceased coalminers' claims for industrial disease and (ii) what potential exists for such abuse.

Malcolm Wicks: Procedures are in place to detect and prosecute fraudulent claims. In schemes of this nature, there is always the possibility that an individual will seek to obtain a payment to which he is not entitled.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which 20 solicitors have received the highest average payments per claim for work done in connection with deceased miners' claims.

Malcolm Wicks: The solicitors with the highest average fees for deceased miners' claims are as follows:
	
		
			NumberSolicitor   Deceased settlements(24) Total solicitors costs paid (£) Average solicitors costs paid (£) 
		
		
			 1 Frank Alien Pennington  Solicitors 1 1,720 1,720 
			 2 Branton Bridge 1 1,397 1,397 
			 3 Ben Hoare Bell and Co  Solicitors 1 859 859 
			 4 Banner Jones Middleton 1 737 737 
			 5 Thompson and Co Solicitors 4 1,606 402 
			 6 Raleys Solicitors 57 19,522 342 
			 7 Mortons Solicitors 8 2,302 288 
			 8 Simpson Millar Solicitors 3 766 255 
			 9 Graysons 33 7,921 240 
			 10 Latham and Co Solicitors 5 1,175 235 
			 11 Pannone and Partners 18 4,100 228 
			 12 Thompsons 148 20,990 42 
			 13 Watson Burton 22 3,071 140 
			 14 O H Parsons 24 2,629 110 
			 15 Keeble Hawson Moorhouse 10 999 100 
			 16 Browell Smith and Co 93 6,872 74 
			 17 Hopkins 19 1,105 58 
			 18 AMS Law 60 3,165 53 
			 19 Atteys 37 1,941 52 
			 20 Ingrams Solicitors 15 588 39 
		
	
	(24)Deceased settlements reflect total settlements on claims registered as deceased, i.e. does not include claims that were registered live but have died since. Total settlements are reported, encompassing claims settled by payment and denial/withdrawal.
	Note:
	No costs are payable to solicitors where the claim is settled by denial or withdrawal.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employees of AON Irisc had previously worked for the National Coal Board on the date of the signing of the DTI/Irisc contract for coal health claims.

Malcolm Wicks: At this time, Irisc employed approximately 120 staff of which about 78 had worked for the British Coal Corporation.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons his Department signed coal health agreements with both Vendside and the Union of Democratic Mineworkers.

Malcolm Wicks: Following the judgments against British Coal in both the Vibration White Finger and respiratory disease litigations, the High Court ordered the DTI to set up schemes, in agreement with miners' solicitors, to assess compensation for both types of claim. Claims had by then been registered through the Claimants Solicitors Group (the CSG), some of which were sponsored by the main mining unions, the NUM and NACODS. The UDM had also registered a large number of claims directly on behalf of their members, through their dedicated claims handling company, Vendside Limited. The CSG and the UDM were unable to work together or enter into single arrangements for historical reasons. The legal advice received by the Department was that it was appropriate to enter into separate claims handling arrangements with the CSG and the UDM, provided that the compensation delivered to the claimant under both schemes was the same.
	Vendside Limited were, at the time of entering into the claims handling arrangements, the vehicle through which the UDM presented claims on behalf of their members. Vendside Limited entered into the Vibration White Finger claims, handling arrangement for and on behalf of the UDM. The legal advice received at the time was that Vendside Limited had authority to enter into arrangement for and on behalf of the UDM.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding the Medical Research Council has made available in each year since 1997 for research into complex regional pain syndrome.

Alan Johnson: The MRC has not directly funded any research into complex regional pain syndrome in the period since 1997. However, in 2002–03, the Council spent £1.4 million on research into pain and pain management, which may lead to further understanding of the mechanisms involved.
	Government do not prescribe to individual research councils what research they fund. Research excellence and importance to health are the primary considerations in MRC's funding decisions. Research proposals received by MRC undergo full peer review and assessment by one of the MRC's research boards.

Crude Oil

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage change in crude oil production from the UK occurred between January and March 2004 and January and March 2005; and what assessment the Department has made as to whether were this trend to continue throughout 2005, the UK would produce more or less oil than it consumed.

Malcolm Wicks: Provisional data for 2005 suggest that crude oil production fell by 12 per cent. between the first quarter of 2004 and the first quarter of 2005. A more detailed analysis is due to be published on 30 June in the June edition of Energy Trends, which will be available in the Libraries of the House.
	Since peaking in 1999, indigenous oil production has been gradually declining as UKCS reserves deplete. New fields are expected to start production from the latter half of 2005 and consequently the decline in UK crude production is projected to plateau before reverting back to its gradual decline from 2008. The UK is still anticipated to become a net importer of crude oil and petroleum products by around 2010.

Discrimination Law Review

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the terms of reference are for the Discrimination Law Review; who is on the reference group for the review; when the review will start; who will lead the review; and what consultation the review will hold with (a) hon. Members, (b) the public and (c) relevant pressure groups.

Meg Munn: Today the terms of reference for the Discrimination Law Review and the terms of reference and list of the members of the Reference Group have been laid in the Libraries of the House.
	We are currently recruiting a team to commence work on the review, which will be led by the Women and Equality Unit in the Department of Trade and Industry. The Women and Equality Unit will be working closely with the other key equality Departments, for example, DWP, Home Office and DCA.
	We will consult as appropriate with relevant bodies and stakeholders on the very wide range of interests concerned throughout the review.

Energy White Paper

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what timescale he is applying to thereview of the Energy White Paper, with particular reference to nuclear fission.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government remain committed to the framework for energy policy set out in the Energy White Paper in 2003. However, we keep progress towards our energy policy goals under review. One example is the Climate Change Programme Review, which is already showing that we will need to do more to reach our domestic goal for carbon reductions and we will be considering the options for correcting this shortfall.
	The Energy White Paper set out our policy in relation to nuclear fission. It did not make proposals for building new nuclear power stations but did not rule out the possibility that at some point in the future new nuclear build might be necessary if we are to meet our carbon targets.

Energy White Paper

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the annual review of the Energy White Paper.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 7 June 2005
	The Government expect to publish their second annual report on implementation of the Energy White Paper in the summer.

Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad Scheme

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with (a) clothing manufacturers, (b) clothing exporters, (c) the Scottish Executive and (d) Scottish Enterprise regarding UK small and medium enterprises participating in exhibitions and missions in export markets under the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: UK Trade and Investment has had discussions on the future of exhibition support with representatives of the clothing and many other sectors and with Scottish Development International. Their views are being taken into account in work on the revision of the scheme.

Export Control Organisation

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to make an announcement on the future of the Export Control Organisation.

Malcolm Wicks: The matter is still under consideration. An announcement will be made as soon as practicable.

Export Control Organisation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) information and (b) training the Export Control Organisation has provided for UK defence exporters concerning bribery and corruption.

Malcolm Wicks: None. Awareness activities on this subject are carried out by other branches of Government.

Export Control Organisation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether companies applying for a licence to the Export Control Organisation are required to provide details of agent's commission that will be paid on the contract for which a licence is sought.

Malcolm Wicks: No. DTI requires information relating only to the potential export.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Export Credits Guarantee Department Pilot Trading Fund was launched; what reviews of the Pilot Fund will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 9 June 2005
	The Export Credits Guarantee Department's (ECGD's) Pilot Trading Fund was launched on 4 April 2005.
	The Secretary of State will consider the suitability of trading fund status as a means of financing ECGD's operations, taking into account a review of the experience gained operating as a pilot trading fund, including ECGD's performance against statutory requirements, and the results of a formal public consultation.
	If a decision is taken for ECGD to move to a statutory trading fund, a Trading Fund Order will be laid before the House in 2007.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many submissions have beenprovided to the consultation on Export Credits Guarantee Department anti-bribery and corruption procedures since December 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 9 June 2005
	One written and two oral (to be followed by written) representations have thus far been received. The consultation closes on 18 June 2005.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much in costs he estimates will be paid to the plaintiffs, the Corner House, in respect of his Department's settlement of the case relating to consultation on Export Credit's Guarantee Department forms.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 9 June 2005
	ECGD has not at the present time reached agreement with the Corner House as to the amounts claimed.

Fuel Poverty (Yorkshire)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) children and (b) elderly people were living in fuel poor households in the East Riding of Yorkshire in each of the past five years.

Alun Michael: Fuel poverty statistics are only available at Government office region level. Latest available figures are sourced from the 2001 English House Condition Survey and show that in 2001, 238,000 households in Yorkshire (11 per cent. of all households in Yorkshire) were in fuel poverty. This statistic cannot be broken down further.
	In England as a whole in 2001, 210,000 households with children were in fuel poverty (3 per cent. of all households with children), while 904,000 households with someone over 60 were in fuel poverty (15 per cent. of all households with someone over 60).
	Statistics giving information for 2003 will be published in the Third Annual Progress Report on the Fuel Poverty Strategy. This information is not available for any other of the past five years.

Inward Investment

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of inward investment within the EU has been received by (a) the UK, (b) France and (c) Germany in each of the last five years.

Ian Pearson: The latest figures available for the proportion of inward investment within the EU that has been received by (a) the UK, (b) France and (c) Germany is shown in the tables.
	
		Foreign direct investment inward stock by host economy -- US$ millions
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 European Union Total 1,806,817 2,257,701 2,441,449 2,899,795 3,335,454 
			 France 244,667 259,775 295,311 386,540 433,521 
			 Germany 299,705 470,933 424,304 531,738 544,604 
			 United Kingdom 385,146 438,631 506,686 568,260 672,015 
		
	
	
		Percentage share of EU total
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 European Union Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 
			 France 13.5 11.5 12.1 13.3 13.0 
			 Germany 16.6 20.9 17.4 18.3 16.3 
			 United Kingdom 21.3 19.4 20.8 19.6 20.1 
		
	
	Note:
	Data includes EU intra investment sourced from UNCTAD world investment report 2004.

Manufacturing

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Tradeand Industry if he will make a statement on manufacturing output.

Alun Michael: Manufacturing output increased by 0.9 per cent. between March and April but declined by 1.4 per cent. on the three-month moving average and by0.7 per cent. in the three months to April compared with the same period last year. It is important to recognise that manufacturing output data can be volatile, and prone to large revisions over time. Almost all the major independent forecasters are forecasting that output will grow in 2005 for the third successive year.
	Manufacturing remains vital to the UK economy, and the Government want a successful manufacturing sector producing high value-added products. We are committed to providing the right support through the manufacturing strategy, which sets out an action plan to develop the sector and help more and more companies make the transition to high value manufacturing.

National Power Provision

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received from Yorkshire Electricity Distribution Limited the information concerning power cuts in the East Riding of Yorkshire referred to in his answer of 30 January 2004, Official Report, columns 589–90W.

Malcolm Wicks: Yorkshire Electricity Distribution Limited have advised the following numbers of power failures in the areas indicated in each of the five years ending 2003.
	
		
			 Area 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Howden 15 13 11 18 10 
			 Analby/Kirkella/Willerby 42 43 34 19 17 
			 South Cave/North Cave 13 18 18 12 21 
			 Cottingham 34 29 16 16 22 
			 Eastrington 3 9 6 10 19 
			 Brough 25 19 12 4 2 
			 North Ferriby/Swanland 10 7 12 8 6 
			 Holme on Spalding Moor 11 8 16 15 7

Natural Gas

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is for protecting natural gas supplies being imported into the UK from the (a) former Soviet Union and (b) Middle East up to 2020.

Malcolm Wicks: As set out in the White Paper Our Energy Future—creating a low carbon economy" published in February 2003, the Government believes that allowing the free operation of a competitive UK market, within an appropriate regulatory framework, is the most efficient way to ensure security of gas supply. Commercial operators have every incentive to ensure diverse sources of gas, supply routes and entry points so as to reduce the risks arising from supply interruption from any one source. The current UK gas market arrangements are already delivering a number of competing gas import projects, potentially delivering gas from such diverse sources as Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, Algeria, Qatar, and other Liquefied Natural Gas exporters.
	We also engage with key producers, both bilaterally and multilaterally, including those in the middle east and the former Soviet Union. For example, the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue encompasses discussion across all energy sectors. We believe that action with Russia to improve energy efficiency in both extraction and use of energy could have a major impact on the amount of oil and gas available for export. This would benefit the EU's security of supply but would also have a very positive effect on the Russian economy and environment. During our EU presidency we aim to re-invigorate the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue to promote investment energy efficiency, network development and energy trade.
	An important part of our engagement with energy producing and transit countries is through the multilateral Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), which promotes the rule of law in energy trade, investment and transit between its contracting parties and thereby improves security of energy supply. ECT signatories comprise all of Europe, all the former Soviet Union and others. Since 1999 members have been negotiating a Protocol intended to supplement existing ECT provisions on energy transit by offering negotiated access to pipelines and grids. However, differences between the EU and Russia on key outstanding issues have prevented the Transit Protocol from being concluded. As part of our EU presidency union, the UK will work closely with all relevant parties to try to conclude the Transit Protocol negotiations, although success remains dependent on the EU and Russia being able to resolve their differences.

Natural Gas

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the UK's energy needs are met by natural gas; and what the forecast is for (a) 2010 and (b) 2020.

Malcolm Wicks: Forty one per cent of the UK's energy needs in 2004 were met by natural gas. According to the latest energy projections, the corresponding figures for 2010 and 2020 are 41 per cent. and 46 per cent. respectively.
	Energy projections are available at the following websites: http://www.dti.gov:uk/energy/sepn/uep2004.pdf which provides detailed estimates to 2010 and http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/uep_addendum.pdf which provides an overview of projections to 2020.

Natural Gas

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry from where he expects natural gas used in the UK to be sourced in (a) 2010 and (b) 2020; and in what quantities.

Malcolm Wicks: As set out in the White Paper Our Energy Future—creating a low carbon economy" published in February 2003, the Government believe that allowing the free operation of a competitive UK market, within an appropriate regulatory framework, is the most efficient way to ensure security of gas supply. Commercial operators have every incentive to ensure diverse sources of gas, supply routes and entry points so as to reduce the risks arising from supply interruption from any one source. The current UK gas market arrangements are already delivering a number of competing gas import projects, potentially delivering gas from such diverse sources as Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, Algeria, Qatar, and other Liquefied Natural Gas exporters.
	The latest Joint Energy Security of Supply report, published in November 2004, gives DTI's forecast of UK gas demand for 2004–13. Forecast demand in 2010 and 2013 is 94 billion cubic metres (bcm) and 98 bcm respectively (net of producers' own use). There are existing import facilities into the UK from Norway and via the UK-Belguim Interconnector, and the report notes that perhaps 40 per cent. of UK demand might be met by imports in 2010 and 80 per cent. in 2020. It also records the capacities of the publicly announced proposed new import facilities for the UK. These are expected to be in place before 2010.
	
		
			 Project Estimated annual capacity in bcm 
		
		
			 Langeled South Pipeline (Lange Gas field development  in Norway) 25 
			 Statfjord Late Life 5 
			 Compressors at Zeebrugge in Belgium to increase import capacity into the UK 15 
			 Interconnector from Balgzand (Netherlands) to Bacton 17 
			 Isle of Grain liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility 14 
			 Milford Haven LNG import facility (1) 6 
			 Milford Haven LNG import facility (2) 10 
		
	
	This report can be found at http:/www.dti.gov.uk/energy/jess/jessreport5.pdf.
	Where the gas actually flows from will be a reflection of commercial decisions.

Nuclear Industry

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the future costs of ensuring the secure status of (a) nuclear installations to the end of their decommissioning and (b) nuclear materials until they are no longer useable in a malevolent fashion; and what measures have been put in place to ensure such future security.

Malcolm Wicks: Security measures are the responsibility of those licensed to run nuclear installations. The licensees bear the cost of these security measures. For those sites for which the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency is responsible, these costs are included in the lifecycle baselines prepared by each site. These are updated annually and summaries posted on the NDA website. The 2005 summaries will appear on the website in November. Security is regulated under the Nuclear Installations Security Regulations 2003 (NISR2003), implemented by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security; the Security Regulator. NISR2003 will cease to apply, and cease to be appropriately enforced, only when an installation no longer requires to be licensed. In practical terms this means that strict security compliance will be required for the lifetime of each nuclear installation. As to what measures are in place, it is not Government policy to discuss the details of security measures at nuclear installations, as this information could potentially be of use to terrorists.

Nuclear Industry

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  whether it is his policy that all existing nuclear sites should be fully cleaned up to a standard allowing unrestricted use when they cease to be used for operational purposes;
	(2)  whether it is his policy that the clean-up of nuclear sites should always follow the Best Practicable Environmental Option.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department published a statement of the UK Government and devolved Administration's policy on the decommissioning of all nuclear facilities in September 2004. The document: The Decommissioning of the UK Nuclear Industry's Facilities" is available on the Department's website (dti.gov.uk). The statement covers all aspects of decommissioning operations and strategies and the need to consider the applicability of the Best Practicable Environmental Option to sites as part of the decommissioning process.

Private finance projects

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the Private Finance Initiative and Public Private Partnership projects his Department is undertaking; and what the status of each is.

Alan Johnson: The Department has two PFI/PPP contracts. They are (a) the provision of IT services within the Department (ELGAR) running until 2013/2014 and (b) Constructionline which provides information on approved contractors within the construction industry. There are no further planned PFI/PPP projects.

Royal Mail Services

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of first class letters posted in the East Riding of Yorkshire met Royal Mail's online delivery target in the last year for which figures are available.

Barry Gardiner: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail. The chief executive has been asked to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Royal Mail Services

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with Royal Mail on the future of the universal service obligation following Postcomm's recommendations on the future cost of first class post.

Barry Gardiner: DTI Ministers and officials meet with representatives from Royal Mail on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues, including regulatory issues.
	Maintenance of the universal postal service is the primary statutory duty of Postcomm.

Strategic Petroleum and Oil Reserves

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of days of strategic reserves of (a) petroleum and (b) oil held; how this estimate was calculated; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department of Trade and Industry collects monthly oil stocks directly from the UK oil industry. At the end of March 2005 the UK held oil stocks equivalent to 84 days of the previous year's consumption. Of this 84 days, 45 days were held in the form of crude oil and feedstocks, and 39 days in the form of finished products.
	The Department publishes levels of oil stocks quarterly in its publication Energy Trends. These are available in the Libraries of the House and the next edition with the March data will be published on 30 June 2005.

Strategic Petroleum and Oil Reserves

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings were held in his Department during the period Parliament was dissolved concerning the security of supply of road fuels and strategic reserves; and if he will publish the minutes of those meetings.

Malcolm Wicks: DTI officials often meet to discuss the supply of road fuels and strategic reserves as part of prudent contingency planning. No formal meetings at which minutes were taken were held in the Department during the period in question.

Thorp Plant

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the circumstances which led to the recent leak of radioactive material from a pipe at the Thorp plant.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr.Jenkin), on 9 June 2005, Official Report, column 646–47W.

UK Presidency (EU)

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what communication activities are planned in relation to the policy areas covered by his Department during the UK Presidency of the EU; and what budget has been allocated for these activities.

Alan Johnson: The Department of Trade and Industry's work on communications during the UK Presidency is as a part of a centrally run exercise by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. No separate Departmental budget has therefore been allocated for these activities.

Wind Farms

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what subsidies the Government make available for wind farms; and according to what criteria they are given.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 9 June 2005
	The Government's main instrument for supporting the establishment of wind farms is the renewables obligation. The obligation is a market based support mechanism that requires licensed electricity suppliers to provide a specified and growing proportion of their electricity from renewable sources eligible under the obligation. Wind farms are one of the technologies supported under the obligation. This provides an assured market for renewable electricity and ensures that it attracts a premium.
	To date, the Government have committed £117 million in grant support towards the capital installation of early offshore wind farm development. No direct grant support is provided for onshore wind farm development except for some small household or community installations under the clear skies scheme.
	The criteria for determining eligibility for the last round of capital grants for offshore wind projects can be found at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/renewables/business_ pdfs/guidancenotes.pdf.

PRIME MINISTER

Cabinet Committee on UK-US Relations

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister for what reason the Cabinet Committee on UK-US relations has been abolished; what representations he received on this matter from the US authorities; and which other committees are now undertaking the work previously dealt with under the auspices of the committee.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ministerial Committees of the Cabinet I made on 24 May 2005, Official Report, column 12WS.
	The Defence and Overseas Policy Cabinet Committee will discuss UK-US relations as appropriate. I have received no representations on this matter from the US authorities.

Prime Ministerial Visits

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Prime Minister when a serving British Prime Minister last visited (a) Orkney and (b) Shetland.

Tony Blair: Regrettably, I have been unable to visit the Orkney and Shetlands islands. My office does not hold information on visits made by previous Prime Ministers.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Employment Rate

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the employment rate in the United Kingdom; and what steps he is taking to increase it;
	(2)  on what basis his Department set a target employment rate of 80 per cent. for the UK; by what date he expects this target to be reached; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The current employment rate of 74.9 per cent. is the highest in the G7 major industrialised countries and the fourth highest in the EU (behind Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden).
	Our long-term aim, as set out in DWP's five-year strategy, is to achieve an employment rate equivalent of 80 per cent. of the working age population. The realisation of this aim will require continued macroeconomic stability and further radical welfare reform to build on the success that has already been achieved through the new deal, Jobcentre Plus and the Pathways to Work pilots.
	We decided on the long-term aim of an employment rate equivalent to 80 per cent. by considering historical and international trends in key labour market variables. Then we made a judgment, based on the success so far of our economic and labour market policies. Our judgment reflects our ambition for continuing economic growth and prosperity for the country and opportunity and inclusion for individual citizens.

Motability Scheme

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what type of cars were bought by the Government's Motability scheme in each year since 2000.

Anne McGuire: The operation of the Motability scheme, which is an independent not-for-profit charity, is a matter for the board of governors of Motability and not the Government.
	Motability customers are free to choose the type of car they have from the scheme. The number and types of cars selected by Motability customers in each year from 2000 and 2004 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Manufacturer 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Aixam — — 33 66 29 
			 Audi 17 9 — 3 3 
			 BMW 5 — — 6 9 
			 Chevrolet 3,673 67 2 916 1,674 
			 Chrysler — 3 38 64 202 
			 Citroen 4,164 15,982 11,829 9,689 15,360 
			 Daihatsu 479 36 107 98 36 
			 Fiat 3,354 2,371 2,002 2,475 3,161 
			 Ford 30,470 30,527 29,174 33,668 38,715 
			 Honda 3,150 402 329 446 1,386 
			 Hyundai 1,222 772 323 366 861 
			 Kia 506 33 71 271 874 
			 Land Rover 1,155 588 319 322 662 
			 Mazda 1,348 66 128 160 1,425 
			 Mercedes 133 981 2,002 4,222 1,608 
			 Mitsubishi 601 14 50 106 89 
			 Nissan 4,983 6,644 10,106 6,046 12,341 
			 Other 757 917 1,454 1,923 1,692 
			 Peugeot 14,257 13,034 13,159 13,514 8,067 
			 Proton 33 28 85 100 — 
			 Renault 16,052 17,216 16,248 12,651 22,838 
			 Rover 4,874 2,979 2,202 2,054 2,606 
			 Saab 5 4 12 6 1 
			 Seat 240 6 6 37 17 
			 Skoda 698 87 48 77 56 
			 Smart 31 74 197 424 36 
			 Suzuki 893 123 175 508 316 
			 Toyota 2,976 2,195 3,248 3,133 2,735 
			 Vauxhall 41,352 36,281 41,107 40,836 46,755 
			 Volkswagen 5,020 7,862 5,238 4,950 8,052 
			 Volvo 5 12 33 37 32 
			 Total 142,453 139,313 139,725 139,174 171,638

Pension Age

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to extend the retirement age for the basic state pension to 70 years for persons employed in certain professions; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: We have no such plans.

Turner and Newall

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Government are taking to help those people who paid into the Turner and Newall pension fund; whether the Government are considering setting up a compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Government have established the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) to protect members of defined benefit schemes by paying compensation if their employer becomes insolvent and the pension scheme is under funded. The PPF became operational on 6 April this year and, after this date, when a sponsoring employer of an eligible pension scheme has an insolvency event the PPF will step in and ensure that members receive a meaningful level of income in retirement.
	For eligible schemes not already in wind up before 6 April, but where the employer was in insolvency proceedings prior to this date, entry to the PPF may be possible where a further insolvency event occurs after 6 April 2005. This would require a new qualifying insolvency event to take place (for example an order for the winding-up of a company being made by the court).
	Members of the Turner and Newall pension fund may well benefit from the Pension Protection Fund in due course, if the eligibility criteria were met.

NORTHERN IRELAND

A and E Staff

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many days sick leave were taken by staff in each accident and emergency department in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Sick days 
			 Trust 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin HSS Trust 305 403 991 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 1,502.2 1,943.1 1,307.0 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 1,006.8 1,316.4 919.7 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital HSS Trust 873.4 968.6 1,189.8 
			 Minor injuries unit, South Tyrone Hospital 126.5 298.7 436.2 
			 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust comprising
			 (1) Lagan Valley Hospital 242 160 218 
			 (2) Downe Hospital 242 188 218 
			 
			 Mater HSS Trust Figures not available at present 371 562.6 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust Due to change in monitoring system, not possible to capture the information at this time. 807.4 514.1 
			 Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust comprising
			 (1) Erne Hospital 188.8 97.9 343 
			 (2) Tyrone County Hospital 353.1 128.5 96 
			 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust 724.40 837.70 1,115.10 
			 United Hospitals HSS Trust comprising
			 (1) Antrim Area Hospital 1,141 767 680 
			 (2) Mid Ulster Hospital 338 341 173 
			 (3) Whiteabbey Hospital 55 61 195 
		
	
	Information was not available from Newry and Mourne HSS Trust.
	The Department keeps absenteeism under careful review. Targets have been set for Trusts to reduce their levels of sick absence.

Belfast Education and Library Board

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his Department has completed its investigation into allegations of fraud in building maintenance in the Belfast Education and Library Board; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The Department has not yet completed the investigation into allegations of fraud in building maintenance within the Belfast Education and Library Board. As this is a current investigation it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.

Clostridium Difficile

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of clostridium difficile were reported to his Department under the voluntary reporting scheme in each year between 2000 and 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: From 2000 to 2003, under the voluntary reporting scheme the annual total number of laboratory reports of clostridium difficile toxin (all specimen types) collated by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (Northern Ireland) was:
	
		
			  Number of clostridium difficile toxin 
		
		
			 2000 718 
			 2001 662 
			 2002 924 
			 2003 1,015 
		
	
	Since 1 January 2005, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has made reporting of clostridium difficile mandatory.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to extend the education maintenance allowance scheme to Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The education maintenance allowance scheme was introduced in Northern Ireland in September 2004, to eligible 16-year-olds, in line with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Information Leaks

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in identifying the source of the leak within the Police Service of Northern Ireland or the Police Ombudsman's office to the Press Association in December 2004 in relation to the case communicated to him on 31 January.

Shaun Woodward: I refer the hon. Lady to the letter from my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, South (Mr. Pearson) of 23 February 2005 in reply to her correspondence of 31 January 2005 on this matter.

Liver Transplants

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were waiting for a liver transplant in Northern Ireland on the latest date for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: At 3 November 2004, there were nine patients in Northern Ireland awaiting a liver transplant.

NHS Dentistry

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dentists based in Northern Ireland commenced practice within the NHS during 2004.

Shaun Woodward: At December 2004 there were 67 dentists that were registered for providing General Dental Services in Northern Ireland who were not registered a year earlier. This figure will include dentists who have qualified during that year; dentists who have returned to work after a career break and other dentists who have began practicing here.

Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total Northern Ireland Tourist Board investment in each Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency was in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The information requested is set out at table A. In addition to this, table B details a number of payments issued by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) to various groups throughout the last five years. This data is not available on a parliamentary constituency basis as the initiatives funded were across all constituencies in Northern Ireland.
	Financial assistance was provided to accommodation projects by the NITB until March 2002; however since April 2002 this assistance has been administered through Invest NI.
	
		Table A: Financial assistance paid to all tourism projects by constituency -- £
		
			 Constituency 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Across all constituencies and cross border(25) 141,501.40 241,926.50 118,687.13 101,933.75 
			 Belfast East 38,300.00 4,200.00 9,000.00 17,500.00 
			 Belfast North 238,912.97 155,200.00 4,500.00 4,000.00 
			 Belfast South 755,466.36 325,187.32 1,368,103.00 13,800.63 
			 Belfast West 3,461.00 20,000.00 741,500.00 20,000.00 
			 East Antrim 29,364.71 498,782.28 693,000.59 400.00 
			 East Londonderry 169,250.57 723,194.17 364,399.06 10,189.05 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 614,042.15 389,086.65 1,432,934.50 9,976.91 
			 Foyle 623,537.43 460,362.51 1,591,163.73 76,113.45 
			 Lagan Valley 35,685.51 58,945.92 39,709.83 3,800.00 
			 Mid Ulster 29,255.82 87,058.49 184,609.83 118,765.03 
			 Newry and Armagh 204,867.55 824,062.99 2,095,527.42 57,274.62 
			 North Antrim 512,327.24 1,094,452.80 747,906.39 68,065.85 
			 North Down 67,550.41 38,429.11 1,200.00 28,700.00 
			 South Antrim 558,214.39 120,798.70 94,441.90 8,000.00 
			 South Down 1,652,777.52 133,684.37 655,129.66 18,489.98 
			 Strangford 300,075.69 276,832.67 1,746.19 46,736.58 
			 Upper Bann 1,809.82 16,224.34 43,381.62 500.00 
			 West Tyrone 262,782.33 189,860.33 157,348.68 4,368.52 
			 Total 6,239,182.87 8,658,289.15 10,344,289.53 608,614.37 
		
	
	
		£
		
			 Constituency 2004 2005 Total 
		
		
			 Across all constituencies and  cross border(25) 101,558.38 15,896.69 721,503.85 
			 Belfast East 20,000.00 10,000.00 99,000.00 
			 Belfast North 1,000.00 9,000.00 412,612.97 
			 Belfast South — — 3,462,557.31 
			 Belfast West — 15,000.00 799,961.00 
			 East Antrim 500.00 — 1,222,047.58 
			 East Londonderry 30,013.53 3,000.00 1,300,046.38 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 41,857.92 15,392.47 2,503,290.60 
			 Foyle 11,654.98 4,123.97 2,766,956.07 
			 Lagan Valley 2,021.79 — 140,163.05 
			 Mid Ulster 20,790.00 2,310.00 442,789.17 
			 Newry and Armagh 23,991.20 7,000.00 3,212,723.78 
			 North Antrim 36,119.81 — 2,458,872.09 
			 North Down 8,000.00 — 143,879.52 
			 South Antrim — — 781,454.99 
			 South Down 10,551.61 28,775.13 4,499,408.27 
			 Strangford 57,375.74 — 682,766.87 
			 Upper Bann — — 61,915.78 
			 West Tyrone — 7,093.37 621,453.23 
			 Total 365,434.96 117,591.63 26,333,402.51 
		
	
	(25)Across all constituencies and cross border relates to projects which straddle more than one parliamentary constituency.
	In addition the following payments were issued to various groups throughout the financial years indicated. The data are not available on a constituency basis as the initiatives funded were across all constituencies in Northern Ireland.
	
		Table B -- £
		
			 Date Amount 
		
		
			 Financial year to:  
			 31 March 2000 1,063,747.98 
			 31 March 2001 1,000,769.88 
			 31 March 2002 1,045,950.90 
			 31 March 2003 1,119,301.70 
			 31 March 2004 1,891,651.40 
			 31 March 2005 1,655,102.57 
			 Total 7,776,524.43

Killyleagh High School

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will assess the merits of demolishing the former High School in Killyleagh; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The South Eastern Education and Library Board has decided to demolish the structure and as is usual in such cases has applied for planning permission for a variety of uses for the site. Tenders have already been sought for the demolition and they are due with the Board by 17 June. Once a decision on planning permission has been obtained, the building will be demolished.

Osteoporosis

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to raise awareness of osteoporosis in Northern Ireland; and how much funding has been directed towards its treatment in the last five years for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is raising awareness of osteoporosis through a range of strategies and action plans designed to encourage regular exercise, a balanced diet, smoking prevention/cessation and a responsible approach to alcohol consumption.
	In addition to lifestyle changes, there are a number of interventions, including medicines, used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. The choice of intervention is a matter for clinical judgment, having taken account of the evidence of effectiveness, clinical circumstances and the views expressed by the individual patient. The total cost of these interventions, including fracture treatment, is not available. However, data is available on the costs associated with medicines dispensed by community pharmacists for both the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The position for the years 2000 to 2004 is set out in the following table.
	
		£000
		
			  Ingredient cost 
		
		
			 2000 1,571 
			 2001 2,183 
			 2002 3,189 
			 2003 4,526 
			 2004 5,838 
			 Total 17,307

Out-of-school Clubs

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect of the withdrawal of EU funding for out-of-school clubs in vulnerable and chronically deprived areas of Northern Ireland on working parents; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The PEACE II Programme was originally intended to end in 2004. All projects were assisted on a time limited basis and as such no European funding has been withdrawn. We are pleased that an extension to PEACE II has been secured and that its wider work can continue. Further funding is now available to play care clubs and will be administered jointly by the Training for Women Network and Playboard. However, as the resources available annually are approximately half previous levels, there are inevitably limits on the number of activities that can be assisted.
	The Department of Education has not provided support for out of school hours learning (OOSHL) from EU funding but in recent years did promote the New Opportunity Fund's (NOF) Out Of School Hours Learning (OOSL) programme to schools locally until the programme ended last year.

Overhead Power Lines

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what evidence he has assessed of the possible risk of developing leukaemia to children living close to overhead power lines.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health's Radiation Protection Research Programme has funded Dr. Gerald Draper of Oxford University's Childhood Cancer Research Group to investigate the incidence of childhood cancer near power lines. The results of the first phase of this study were published in the British Medical Journal on Friday 3 June. The Health Protection Agency posted a considered response to the publication on its website, www.hpa.org.uk.
	The research so far shows a statistical link between electronic fields (EMFs) and increased cases of childhood leukaemia. At this stage, research has not proved that power lines cause leukaemia in children. The Stakeholder Advisory Group on EMFs, which was set up to consider the need for precautionary measures in relation to EMFs, will address and take into account the findings of Dr. Draper's research so far.

Police Service (Text Messaging)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people he estimates will register for the Police Service of Northern Ireland text messaging service enabling people with hearing or speech problems to contact the emergency services using mobile phones.

Shaun Woodward: The Police Service of Northern Ireland has informed me that the scheme is still in the very early stages of development. It is too early to know how many people will register for the service but it is hoped that as many people as possible will do so.

Prescriptions

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prescriptions were issued in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and what proportion of those did not require payment by the recipient.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is not collected in the form requested.
	The total number of prescription items dispensed, and the number for which the full prescription charge was paid, in each of the last five calendar years is given in the following table. Based upon sample analyses, it is estimated that a further 5 per cent. of prescription items are partly paid for by pre-payment certificates (PPCs), which allow the patient to obtain as many prescription items as necessary during the four or 12-month validity of the certificate for a set fee. Consequently, about 89 per cent. of health service prescription items are dispensed free of charge to patients. Estimated figures for the latter two categories are calculated as follows:
	
		
			  Total items Charge paid Estimated 5 per cent. PPCs Estimated 89 per cent. free 
		
		
			 2000 23,663,632 1,409,347 1,183,182 21,071,104 
			 2001 24,551,125 1,472,666 1,227,556 21,850,903 
			 2002 25,419,957 1,545,007 1,270,998 22,603,952 
			 2003 26,399,016 1,553,759 1,319,951 23,525,306 
			 2004 27,318,349 1,581,093 1,365,917 24,371,339

Prison Service

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to increase representation of the (a) Roman Catholic and (b) ethnic minority communities within the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

Shaun Woodward: Over recent years the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reduced staffing levels after the closure of Belfast and Maze prisons. There have been no major recruitment campaigns to affect the composition of the service.
	The Northern Ireland Prison Service did however recruit Night Custody Officers last year. The Service specifically encouraged Roman Catholics and women to apply in the job advertisements which read as follows:
	The Northern Ireland Prison Service is committed to equality of opportunity in employment. All applications for employment will be considered strictly on the basis of merit.
	The Service welcomes applications from all suitably qualified applicants irrespective of religious belief, gender, race, political opinion, age, marital status, sexual orientation or whether or not they have dependants. As Roman Catholics and women are currently known to be under-represented in the Northern Ireland Prison Service, applications from the Roman Catholic section of the community and from women would be particularly welcome".
	The Northern Ireland Prison Service has also put in place an outreach programme aimed at young people from the under-represented communities, including ethnic minorities, with the aim of encouraging applications for future vacancies.

Seat Belts

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he plans to implement a policy of installing seat belts on all buses used to transport children to and from schools in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The Department of the Environment is currently considering in detail the implications of implementing such a policy in its assessment of the four key recommendations of the Northern Ireland Assembly's home to school transport public inquiry. It is expected that the findings of this work, which is being carried in partnership with the Department for Regional Development and the Department of Education, will be published for consultation later this year.
	Education and Library Boards have been working towards the goal of providing seat belts on all their vehicles—at current rates this will take at least six years. To date, seat belts have been fitted on 63 per cent. of their vehicles.

Tunes Plateau

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Northern Ireland what stage has been reached in the consultation process over the proposed siting of the offshore wind farm at Tunes Plateau, Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The project remains at feasibility stage. The statutory consultation process has not yet commenced as the developers have not submitted the evaluation of environmental impacts necessary to support an application for a marine construction licence, or consent to build as required under Article 39 of the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.

HEALTH

Anti-TNFa

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure that the guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence instructing health care trusts to provide anti-TNFa intervention to those patients with rheumatoid arthritis who qualify is followed by trusts.

Liam Byrne: It is the responsibility of individual strategic health authorities to ensure local compliance with clinical guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Arthritis

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on availability of drugs to treat arthritis.

Liam Byrne: There is a wide range of over-the-counter and prescription drugs available to help relieve pain and discomfort and reduce the future damage associated with the 200 different forms of arthritis.

Asthma

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) adults and (b) children have been recorded as suffering from asthma in (i) Brent East and (ii) each London borough in each year since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: This data is not available in the format requested.
	However, information on the numbers of adults and children recorded as suffering from asthma in London is recorded by London local authority of residence. This data is shown in the table for the years 1997–98 to 2003–04.
	
		Primary diagnosis asthma (ICD-10 codes J45-J46)—finished admission episodes. London local authority of residence—national health service hospitals, England 1997–98 to 2003–04
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 
			 Local authority of residence Adults (18+) Children (0–17) Total Adults (18+) Children (0–17) Total Adults (18+) Children (0–17) Total 
		
		
			 City of London — — — — — — — — — 
			 Barking and Dagenham 171 164 335 137 93 230 92 92 184 
			 Barnet 235 280 515 237 297 534 206 169 375 
			 Bexley 144 159 303 111 153 264 156 120 276 
			 Brent 142 142 284 101 125 226 107 144 251 
			 Bromley 202 207 409 179 160 339 212 231 443 
			 Camden 166 181 347 122 119 241 120 101 221 
			 Croydon 269 356 625 216 311 527 209 185 394 
			 Ealing 294 322 616 298 292 590 274 230 504 
			 Enfield 190 189 379 180 209 389 161 231 392 
			 Greenwich 153 196 349 126 160 286 138 138 276 
			 Hackney 192 227 419 223 277 500 162 290 452 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 181 161 342 170 146 316 151 93 244 
			 Haringey 180 183 363 164 145 309 168 179 347 
			 Harrow 143 117 260 138 132 270 132 124 256 
			 Havering 148 136 284 134 140 274 97 99 196 
			 Hillingdon 199 151 350 202 161 363 194 163 357 
			 Hounslow 205 186 391 278 252 530 217 183 400 
			 Islington 128 136 264 137 91 228 147 92 239 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 146 102 248 137 71 208 72 41 113 
			 Kingston upon Thames 86 93 179 101 124 225 112 87 199 
			 Lambeth 247 280 527 312 226 538 234 186 420 
			 Lewisham 224 305 529 187 326 513 213 274 487 
			 Merton 142 177 319 128 125 253 127 130 257 
			 Newham 191 245 436 201 247 448 184 225 409 
			 Redbridge 186 187 373 155 139 294 130 90 220 
			 Richmond upon Thames 54 69 123 97 102 199 104 65 169 
			 Southwark 255 212 467 258 213 471 223 180 403 
			 Sutton 99 194 293 104 171 275 89 158 247 
			 Tower Hamlets 153 139 292 180 163 343 164 174 338 
			 Waltham Forest 217 190 407 197 146 343 123 110 233 
			 Wandsworth 215 209 424 248 202 450 213 122 335 
			 Westminster, City of 126 83 209 114 104 218 154 92 246 
			 London total 5,683 5,978 11,661 5,572 5,622 11,194 5,085 4,798 9,883 
		
	
	
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 
			 Local authority of residence Adults (18+) Children (0–17) Total Adults (18+) Children (0–17) Total 
		
		
			 City of London — — — — — — 
			 Barking and Dagenham 105 83 188 97 105 202 
			 Barnet 187 157 344 155 164 319 
			 Bexley 99 117 216 98 97 195 
			 Brent 165 145 310 90 72 162 
			 Bromley 188 177 365 79 102 181 
			 Camden 104 115 219 126 124 250 
			 Croydon 208 230 438 168 173 341 
			 Ealing 204 190 394 227 241 468 
			 Enfield 152 182 334 187 175 362 
			 Greenwich 148 127 275 111 132 243 
			 Hackney 191 204 395 187 236 423 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 151 75 226 117 28 145 
			 Haringey 160 187 347 119 193 312 
			 Harrow 194 150 344 133 90 223 
			 Havering 113 101 214 134 87 221 
			 Hillingdon 213 150 363 180 123 303 
			 Hounslow 223 194 417 204 179 383 
			 Islington 114 118 232 117 135 252 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 78 44 122 48 24 72 
			 Kingston upon Thames 91 79 170 95 105 200 
			 Lambeth 205 194 399 246 204 450 
			 Lewisham 197 231 428 171 227 398 
			 Merton 92 115 207 105 109 214 
			 Newham 203 192 395 198 231 429 
			 Redbridge 149 134 283 129 140 269 
			 Richmond upon Thames 82 53 135 67 55 122 
			 Southwark 202 225 427 213 192 405 
			 Sutton 108 144 252 84 141 225 
			 Tower Hamlets 136 166 302 193 172 365 
			 Waltham Forest 128 87 215 122 100 222 
			 Wandsworth 194 111 305 142 117 259 
			 Westminster, City of 172 92 264 120 94 214 
			 London total 4,956 4,569 9,525 4,462 4,367 8,829 
		
	
	
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
			 Local authority of residence Adults (18+) Children (0–17) Total Adults (18+) Children (0–17) Total 
		
		
			 City of London — — — — — — 
			 Barking and Dagenham 123 104 227 139 84 223 
			 Barnet 196 115 311 238 145 383 
			 Bexley 109 92 201 156 115 271 
			 Brent 120 79 199 207 122 329 
			 Bromley 140 166 306 157 148 305 
			 Camden 145 104 249 143 110 253 
			 Croydon 142 178 320 242 196 438 
			 Ealing 233 165 398 367 160 527 
			 Enfield 141 122 263 122 106 228 
			 Greenwich 146 121 267 245 127 372 
			 Hackney 225 232 457 230 230 460 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 125 69 194 131 78 209 
			 Haringey 126 135 261 126 111 237 
			 Harrow 126 80 206 144 83 227 
			 Havering 123 77 200 145 91 236 
			 Hillingdon 166 84 250 178 79 257 
			 Hounslow 188 132 320 240 98 338 
			 Islington 128 120 248 137 91 228 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 87 28 115 74 45 119 
			 Kingston upon Thames 95 78 173 98 80 178 
			 Lambeth 237 178 415 234 165 399 
			 Lewisham 223 172 395 173 186 359 
			 Merton 100 109 209 106 103 209 
			 Newham 198 169 367 237 148 385 
			 Redbridge 157 106 263 178 112 290 
			 Richmond upon Thames 100 49 149 135 54 189 
			 Southwark 224 164 388 261 178 439 
			 Sutton 51 112 163 90 116 206 
			 Tower Hamlets 200 114 314 192 88 280 
			 Waltham Forest 167 98 265 192 123 315 
			 Wandsworth 193 129 322 211 106 317 
			 Westminster, City of 116 82 198 104 73 177 
			 London total 4,850 3,763 8,613 5,632 3,751 9,383

Barnet Hospital

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the performance against reference cost is for treatments at Barnet hospital.

Jane Kennedy: The overall reference cost index score for Barnet and Chase Farm National Health Service Trust, as reported in the reference costs 2004 collection for the financial year 2003–04, is 102.
	This is after adjusting for the market forces factor and is the headline index. This effectively means that, overall, Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust was operating at levels approximately two per cent. higher than the national average costs for this financial period.

Cancer

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the implications of changes in the structure and funding of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence for the availability of new treatments for cancer patients;
	(2)  what the budget is for (a) (i) the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and (ii) the Health Protection Agency in 2004–05 and (b) the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in 2005–06.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 8 June 2005
	The internal structure of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is a matter for NICE.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence received an initial resource limit from the Department and the Welsh Assembly Government in 2004–05 of £19.3 million. The budget for the Health Protection Agency in 2004–05 was £136.7 million and the initial budget for the Health Development Agency (HDA) in 2004–05 was £12.9 million. The HDA merged with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to form the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence from 1 April 2005. NICE'S initial funding for 2005–06 is £30.2 million. Figures include capital charges.

Central Middlesex Hospital

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were waiting to see a consultant at Central Middlesex hospital on (a) 1 May 1997, (b) 7 June 2001 and (c) the latest date for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The information is not available in the format requested.
	Table 1 shows the total number of patients waiting for inpatient admission to Central Middlesex and Northwick Park hospitals as at 31 March 1997. On 1 April 1999 these two hospitals merged to become North West London Hospitals NHS Trust. Therefore, since 1 April 1999, data has been collected at trust level.
	
		Table 1: Number waiting for in-patient admission
		
			  Central Middlesex hospital Northwick Park hospital North West London Hospitals NHS Trust Total 
		
		
			 31 March 1997 3,089 6,216 not applicable 9,305 
			 31 May 2001 not applicable not applicable 7,280 7,280 
			 30 April 2005 not applicable not applicable 7,637 17,637 
		
	
	Table 2 shows the number of patients waiting over 13weeks for out-patient treatment.
	
		Table 2. Number waiting over 13 weeks for out-patient treatment
		
			  Central Middlesex hospital Northwick Park hospital North West London Hospitals NHS Trust Total 
		
		
			 31 March 1997 863 1,026 not applicable 1,889 
			 31 May 2001 not applicable not applicable 1779 1,779 
			 30 April 2005 not applicable not applicable 775 775

Clostridium Difficile

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the incidence of Clostridium difficile reported by each hospital trust has been in each month since the start of the mandatory reporting scheme.

Jane Kennedy: Data from the mandatory surveillance system for Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea are not available yet and will be published this summer.

Clostridium Difficile

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has issued to hospital trusts on the (a) prevention and (b) eradication of Clostridium difficile.

Jane Kennedy: Clostridium difficile: infection prevention and management" was issued to national health service hospital trusts in 1994 and includes advice on antibiotic policies arid isolating patients. Copies of the report are available in the Library.
	Information on outbreak control is also included in the National Clostridium difficile standards group report to the Department, produced in 2003, available on the Health Protections Agency website at
	www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/clostridium_ difficile/FINALCdiffreport.pdf.
	Copies have been placed in the Library.

Clostridium Difficile

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of Clostridium difficile were reported to her Department under the voluntary reporting scheme in each year between 2000 and 2003; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Reports made under the Health Protection Agency's (HPA) voluntary reporting scheme are shown in the table. Further details are given in the report, Voluntary reporting of Clostridium difficile, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland: 2004, in Communicable Disease Report Weekly, volume 15, number 20, published in May 2005 on the HPA website at www.hpa.org.uk/cdr/pages/hcai.htm#clost.
	
		Voluntary reports to HPA of Clostridium difficile infections diagnosed from faecal specimens for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
		
			  Number of reports 
		
		
			 2000(26) (27)20,556 
			 2001 (27)22,008 
			 2002 (27)28,986 
			 2003 (27)35,537 
		
	
	(26)Number of reports for England and Wales only.
	(27)Provisional data.
	Source:
	HPA.
	This article shows that it is hard to establish the true trend in infection rates, as reporting has increased over recent years. In order to find out the scale of the problem of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea, it was added to the mandatory surveillance system for healthcare associated infection in 2004. The first results will be published later this year.

GP Services (Hornsey and Wood Green)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her latest estimate is of the general practitioner to patient ratio in Hornsey and Wood Green; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: There is no statutory general practitioner to patient ratio. Any individual is free to approach a GP practice near to where he/she is living and apply to join the practice's list of national health service patients.
	The Department does not collect information on GP to patient ratios. However, the table shows the number of GPs per 100,000 patients in the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) area.
	
		General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(28) per 100,000 patients for Haringey teaching PCTAs at 30 September 2004 -- Numbers (headcount)
		
			  Haringey teaching PCT 5C9 
		
		
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and  registrars) 148 
			 Patients 284,093 
			 General medical practitioners per 100,000 patients 52.1 
		
	
	(28)General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted GPs, general medical service (GMS) others and personal medical service (PMS) others. Prior to September 2004, this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.
	Source:
	NHS health and social care information centre GMS and PMS statistics.

Dentistry

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what inspections are made on the quality of NHS dental care; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Dental Practice Board (DPB) for England and Wales is responsible for establishing the probity of payment claims for dentists working in the national health service general dental services and making payments to them for the work they have done. The DPB continually monitors dentists' prescribing patterns and activity and the quality of treatment provided through the dental reference service (DRS). The DRS of the DPB monitors the quality of dentists' work from a randomly selected sample of payment claims using questionnaires to patients, clinical record checks and treatment examinations. The form that patients sign at the dentist includes an agreement to attend an examination if requested. Adverse reports arising from the 55,000 random references are investigated and can be referred to the primary care trust for disciplinary action.

Health Care Associated Infections

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress the Office for National Statistics has made in undertaking a qualitative study on the proportion of deaths which may be associated with healthcare associated infections; and what the timetable is for this work to be completed and published.

Jane Kennedy: This study consists of two main parts that are being taken forward separately. The Health Protection Agency and the Office for National Statistics are currently progressing the confidential study of healthcare associated infections (HCAI) related deaths. A separate quantitative analysis on the proportion of deaths which may be associated with HCAIs will start later in the year.

Hospital Cleanliness

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to improve the level of cleanliness on hospital wards.

Jane Kennedy: Since 2005, the Department has had a comprehensive and multi-faceted programme of work covering a wide range of issues, including:
	Setting standards
	Increased investment
	Involving ward sisters and charge nurses
	Inspecting hospitals
	Awareness campaigns
	Issuing guidance
	In 2000, we introduced an annual programme of patient environment action team inspections. Then, around one third of hospitals were poor or unacceptable. Today, 98 per cent. of national health service trusts are rated as acceptable or better.

Illegal Meat

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to tackle the sale of illegal meat unfit for human consumption in restaurants.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the reply Igave on 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 530W.

Infection Surveillance Data

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to publish data collected under the mandatory surveillance system for (a) Clostridium-associated diarrhoea, (b) glycopeptide resistant enterococci and (c) orthopaedic surgical site infection; and whether she will be publishing this data for intervals of six months.

Jane Kennedy: Data from the mandatory surveillance system for Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea and glycopeptide resistant enterococci will be available this summer and information for orthopaedic surgical site infections will be published in the autumn. This data is likely to be published annually.

Intensive/Critical Care Beds

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many (a) intensive and (b) critical care beds are available per 100,000 population in England; and what evidence she has evaluated on numbers of such beds available in (i) Germany, (ii) France and (iii) the USA;
	(2)  what the cost of high dependency care was in each of the last three years in England; and what evidence she has evaluated on the level of such costs in (a) Germany, (b) France and (c) the USA.

Liam Byrne: As of 13 January 2005, there were 6.4 adult critical care beds and 3.6 intensive care beds per 100,000 adult population in England. The Department does not have any comparable figures for Germany, France or the United States of America. National health service expenditure on intensive care and high dependency care beds is not separately identified from the annual financial returns of NHS providers, but the Government invested an additional £300 million in adult critical care services between 2000 and 2002, which is now incorporated in primary care trust baseline budgets.

Macular Degeneration

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated with photodynamic treatment for wet macular degeneration in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) England in the latest year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: In 2003–04, there were 3,418 finished admission episodes where the primary diagnosis was degeneration of macular and posterior pole" and an operation was carried out in the national health service. For trusts in Gloucestershire, there were 37 finished admission episodes where the primary diagnosis was degeneration of macular and posterior pole" and an operation was carried out in the NHS. The Department does not hold information on the use of photodynamic therapy in these treatments.

MRSA

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have contracted the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin superbug in each of the last five years; and how many went on to make a full recovery.

Jane Kennedy: Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) producing Staphylococcus aureus" is a rare infection; which is commonly associated with skin and soft tissue infections. The information requested is not available as not all Staphylococcus aureus" isolates are tested for the presence of PVL.

MRSA

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to raise awareness of cases of the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin superbug among (a) the public and (b) doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Jane Kennedy: The Health Protection Agency has already published a number of articles for healthcare professionals to raise awareness of these infections and the Chief Medical Officer will be providing further guidance to raise awareness and promote good practice.
	There are no plans for a specific public awareness campaign on Panton Valentine Leukocidin producing Staphylococcus aureus".

MRSA

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the incidence of MRSA in NHS hospitals.

Jane Kennedy: The mandatory surveillance system for health care associated infection started in April 2001 with the collection of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections data.
	The latest data, for April to September 2004, shows a six per cent. drop on the corresponding period in 2003. More details can be found on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsStatistics/PublicationsStatistics Article/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4085951&chk=HBt2QD.

NHS Continuing Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether she expects the national framework on continuing care to contain national eligibility criteria for fully-funded NHS continuing care;
	(2)  when she expects to publish the response to the Health Committee report published in April on NHS continuing care;
	(3)  when she expects to publish the national framework on continuing care;
	(4)  how many cases related to retrospective continuing care assessments have been taken up by the Ombudsman at appeal; and how many of these were upheld.

Liam Byrne: The Department is currently working closely with selected stakeholders to produce a national framework for the assessment of continuing care, due for publication in early 2006. This should result in national eligibility criteria and suitable assessment methodologies for access to national health service continuing care. I have received a number of representations about the development of a national framework, all of which will be taken into account in its development. In accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines, we will consult on the official guidance and any legislation required later this year. I expect to make a formal response to the Health Committee report on NHS continuing care before the summer recess.
	Details of the review's progress were presented to the House in a written statement by my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) on 16 September 2004 Official Report, columns 175–77WS, of the 11,655 requests for investigations received by 31 March 2004, 86.1 per cent. had been investigated, with 1,796 being found eligible for recompense. No later data is available. The Department does not collect data about the number of people who subsequently took cases to the Health Ombudsman.

NHS Staff (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) clinical and (b) non-clinical NHS staff were employed in (i) Brent and (ii) each London primary care trust in each year since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: The number of clinical and non-clinical national health service staff employed in each constituency and primary care trust is not collected centrally. However, data collected by strategic health authority for the years 1997 to 2004 is available and has been placed in the Library.

NHS Staff (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dental nurses there were in (a) Brent and (b) each London primary care trust in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Most national health service dentistry is provided by self-employed dentists, who employ their own dental nurses. As a result, information is not held centrally on numbers of dental nurses working in dental practices providing general dental services under the NHS.

No Secrets Guidance

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list local authorities in England which have established (a) adult protection policies and (b) adult protection committees following publication of the No Secrets guidance.

Liam Byrne: Information on which local authorities in England have established adult protection committees will be available from the Commission for Social Care Inspection later this year.

Obesity

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were diagnosed as obese in each London borough in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: Figures for the numbers of children diagnosed as obese in each London borough are not collected centrally. However, figures on the prevalence of obesity are available by Government office region from the Health Survey for England. This data is available in table 5 on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/10/94/11/0410941l.pdf.

Parliamentary Questions

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Monmouth for answer on 25 May, ref 1150.

Caroline Flint: A reply was sent to the hon. Member on Tuesday 7 June, Official Report, column 524W.

Pharmacies

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of prescriptions in the United Kingdom are filled with a parallel traded product.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not hold information on the proportion of prescriptions filled with a parallel imported medicine.

Pharmacies

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pharmacies operated 24 hour services in each year since 1997 in (a) Brent East, (b) Brent and (c) each London primary care trust.

Jane Kennedy: Information on pharmacies operating 24 hour services is not collected centrally.

Pharmacies

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pharmacies there were in each year since 1997 in (a) Brent East, (b) Brent and (c) each London primary care trust.

Jane Kennedy: Information on the number of community pharmacies by constituency is not collected centrally. However, information prior to 2002 is available by health authority (HA) and from 2002 by primary care trust (PCT). This data is shown in the tables.
	Brent, East, Brent, North and Brent, South are currently served by Brent Teaching PCT, and were previously within Brent and Harrow HA. The remaining London PCTs sat in the following HAs.
	Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow
	Hillingdon
	Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster
	Barnet
	Enfield and Haringey
	Camden and Islington
	Barking and Havering
	East London and City
	Redbridge and Waltham Forest
	Bexley and Greenwich
	Bromley
	Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham
	Croydon
	Kingston and Richmond
	Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth
	Table 1 shows the number of community pharmacies by HA prior to 2002. Table 2 shows the number of community pharmacies by PCT from 2002 onwards.
	
		Table 1—By HA 1997 to 2002
		
			  Number of community pharmacies 
			 HA 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Brent and Harrow 136 134 131 130 129 
			 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow 168 165 166 163 161 
			 Hillingdon 63 62 62 62 62 
			 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster 152 152 150 148 148 
			 Barnet 79 79 79 79 n/a 
			 Enfield and Haringey 117 117 116 116 (29)194 
			 Camden and Islington 112 112 111 111 111 
			 Barking and Havering 83 81 80 79 79 
			 East London and City 169 169 169 167 166 
			 Redbridge and Waltham Forest 109 109 109 108 108 
			 Bexley and Greenwich 94 94 94 94 (30)151 
			 Bromley 57 57 57 57 n/a 
			 Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham 178 176 176 174 174 
			 Croydon 71 69 69 68 68 
			 Kingston and Richmond 76 76 76 75 75 
			 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth 149 147 145 145 143 
		
	
	(29)Barnet merged with Enfield and Haringey HA to become a single HA
	(30)Bromley merged with Bexley and Greenwich HA to become a single HA.
	
		Table 2—By PCT 2002 to 2004
		
			  Number of community pharmacies 
			 Primary care trust 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Brent Teaching 71 71 
			 Ealing 69 70 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 41 40 
			 Harrow 57 57 
			 Hillingdon 62 62 
			 Hounslow 50 50 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 41 41 
			 Westminster 106 105 
			 Barnet 78 79 
			 Camden 63 63 
			 Islington 47 47 
			 Enfield 59 59 
			 Haringey 57 56 
			 Barking and Dagenham 36 35 
			 City and Hackney 65 65 
			 Chingford, Wanstead and Woodford 23 (31)n/a 
			 Havering 43 43 
			 Newham 60 60 
			 Redbridge 39 50 
			 Tower Hamlets 43 44 
			 Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone 46 (32)n/a 
			 Waltham Forest n/a 58 
			 Bexley 47 46 
			 Bromley 57 57 
			 Greenwich 47 48 
			 Lambeth 59 58 
			 Lewisham 52 52 
			 Southwark 63 63 
			 Croydon 68 68 
			 Kingston 29 29 
			 Richmond and Twickenham 45 45 
			 Sutton and Merton 77 77 
			 Wandsworth 65 67 
		
	
	(31)Chingford, Wanstead and Woodford PCT no longer exists.
	(32)Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone PCT no longer exists.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the health (a) authorities and (b) trusts in England providing funding for anti-TNF therapy for people with rheumatoid arthritis; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not collect information on funding provided by strategic health authorities or primary care trusts for specific treatments.
	Health bodies are obliged to fund, from general allocations, anti-TNF (tumour necrosis factor) treatment for those with severe rheumatoid arthritis who meet the clinical guidelines set by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Zoledronate

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the availability of Zoledronate in the NHS to treat secondary bone cancer; and if she has plans to direct the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to conduct an appraisal of the treatments available for the management of secondary bone cancer.

Rosie Winterton: The number of prescriptions of Zoledronate (zoledronic acid) prescribed in the community in England since 2001 is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Prescriptions 
		
		
			 2001 6 
			 2002 35 
			 2003 232 
			 2004 314 
		
	
	Information on the hospital prescribing of this drug is not collected centrally.
	Zoledronic acid belongs to the class of drug known as bisphosphonates and is licensed in the United Kingdom for the prevention of skeletal related events in patients with advanced malignancies involving bone and for the treatment of tumour-induced hypercalcaemia.
	There are no plans to ask NICE to conduct an appraisal of bisphosphonates more generally.

CABINET OFFICE

E-Government (East Yorkshire)

David Davis: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the uptake of e-delivery of Government services has been in East Yorkshire.

Jim Murphy: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) measures uptake of government services online on a quarterly basis for Adults (16+) across Great Britain. The last survey, in February 2005 showed that 57 per cent. Of internet users, representing 33 per cent. of the adult population accessed Government websites in the 12 months prior to the survey. 29 per cent. of the population accessed sites for informational purposes and 7 per cent. for downloading forms.
	Recently available National Statistics data formed by adding the last two surveys together to increase the sample size for regional analysis, shows 46 per cent. of internet users in Yorkshire and the Number have visited Government websites compared to the UK average of 54 per cent.

Freedom of Information

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what date the first meeting of the sub-Committee on Freedom of Information will take place.

John Hutton: Although the Government publishes the title, membership and terms of reference of Cabinet Committees, it has been the practice of successive Governments not to disclose details of their proceedings, including the dates when they meet.

Government Correspondence

Graham Allen: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  if he will take steps to improve the (a) speed and (b) relevance of replies by Government Departments to letters and inquiries from (i) hon. Members and (ii) the public;
	(2)  if he will take steps to introduce new performance indicators and a table of rankings for the performance of (a) Government Departments and (b) Ministers in responding to correspondence from hon. Members and the public;
	(3)  if he will institute a system of beacon status and special measures to encourage improvements in ministerial and departmental performance in responding to correspondence from hon. Members and the public.

John Hutton: The Cabinet Office will shortly be publishing updated guidance for Departments on the handling of correspondence from hon. Members and Peers. Copies of the guidance will be placed in the Library. The performance of individual Departments on the handling of correspondence from hon. Members and Peers is published on an annual basis. For information relating to their performance for 2004, I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of the Cabinet Office (Mr. Miliband) on 6 April 2005, Official Report, columns 137–40WS.
	Individual Government Departments are responsible for setting of response targets on the handling of correspondence from members of the public.
	Departments are continuing to work together and share 'best practice' in the handling of all correspondence.

Ministerial Cars

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which Ministers since 1 May 1997 have opted not to take-up the use of a ministerial car.

Jim Murphy: The responsibility for the provision of ministerial cars and drivers has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive Mr. Roy Burke to write to the hon. Member. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether it is his policy that written parliamentary questions require a response in terms of content no less full than that which would be given in answer to a request made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

John Hutton: Guidance to Departments on answering parliamentary questions is set out in Guidance to Officials on Drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions". This guidance was revised and re-issued in February 2005 to take account of the Freedom of Information Act. Copies are also available in the Library.

Perpetual Annuity Payments

George Mudie: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list (a) annuities and (b) pensions which are being paid from public funds to the descendants of individuals who through public service were granted exceptional perpetual annuity or pension payments, broken down by amount.

John Hutton: The Cabinet Office does not make payments of this nature.

Private Finance Projects

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the private finance initiative and public private partnership projects his Department is undertaking; and what the status of each is.

John Hutton: The Cabinet Office has one private finance initiative project—the Sunningdale Park Property which became operational in 2002.
	Information relating to other public private partnership projects is not held centrally and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

Websites

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many centrally funded websites have a gov.uk suffix;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of people employed within the civil service who manage Government websites with a gov.uk suffix.

Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office does not hold figures on the number of websites in the .gov.uk domain. Figures are held on the number of .gov.uk domain names that have been registered for use. As of 1 April 2005 there were 3,419 approved gov.uk domain names. Covering all levels of central, local and devolved Government within the UK.
	A domain name does not necessarily mean a website, a proportion of domain names will be used as redirects to another website.
	The Cabinet Office does not hold figures on the number of people employed within the civil service who manage .gov.uk websites.
	Websites are funded by the sponsoring organisation.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Design for Manufacture Sites

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what planning restrictions apply to the sites so far named as Design for Manufacture sites.

Yvette Cooper: Ten sites have been selected for the Design for Manufacture competition. The sites are:
	Site 6, Oxley Park, Milton Keynes
	Former TA Centre, Oxford Road, Aylesbury
	Site D2, Upton, Northampton
	Area 2, Allerton Bywater, near Leeds
	Former Renny Lodge Hospital, London Road, Newport Pagnell
	Former Park Prewett Hospital, Kingsclere Road, Basingstoke
	Leybourne Grange, Maidstone
	Rowan Lodge School, Merton, London
	School Road, Hastings
	Former Greenhithe TA Centre, Horn's Cross, Dartford
	All the sites are subject to normal planning requirements, and benefit from advanced design specifications. The winners of the competition appointed to become development partners will be expected to abide by local planning requirements, follow design codes and briefs and provide the usual supporting on-site infrastructure.
	Seven of the 10 sites already have outline planning consent, and five sites have design codes and/or development briefs in place. Details of the planning context relating to each individual site can be found on the English Partnerships website http://www.englishpartnerships.co.uk/designformanufacture

Electoral Administration

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of local government staff employed primarily in electoral administration (a) in 1997 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government does not hold figures for the number of local government staff employed primarily in electoral administration.

Fire Service

John McDonnell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many road accidents involving the rescue of a person or persons were carried out by the fire service in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of road traffic incidents which involved the rescue of a person or persons by the Fire and Rescue Service in England is set out as follows.
	
		
			  Number of incidents 
		
		
			 1994–95 8,556 
			 1995–96 6,918 
			 1996–97 7,555 
			 1997–98 7,697 
			 1998–99 8,352 
			 1999–2000 8,489 
			 2000–01 9,079 
			 2001–02 9,641 
			 2002–03 9,772 
			 2003–04 9,673 
		
	
	Source:
	ODPM annual returns

Fire Service

John McDonnell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people were rescued or led to safety at chemical or fuel spills or leaks or suspected chemical or fuel spills or leaks by the Fire Service in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Information is not collected centrally on incidents where people are rescued or led to safety from spills or leaks.

Fire Service

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many attacks on firefighters were recorded in each fire authority in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Attacks on firefighters have only been recorded since 1 April 2004. In 2004–05 a total of 633 attacks were recorded. For the months of April and May 2005, 64 attacks have been recorded. The following tables set out details of these attacks by fire authority.
	
		2004–05
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Buckinghamshire 1 
			 Cheshire 23 
			 Cleveland 54 
			 Cumbria 2 
			 Dorset 1 
			 Greater Manchester 188 
			 Hampshire 6 
			 Isle of Wight 1 
			 Kent 10 
			 Lancashire 6 
			 Lincolnshire 1 
			 Merseyside 135 
			 Mid and West Wales 5 
			 Norfolk 1 
			 Nottinghamshire 33 
			 South Wales 37 
			 South Yorkshire 20 
			 Staffordshire 1 
			 Tyne and Wear 2 
			 West Midlands 106 
			 Total 633 
		
	
	
		2005–06
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Buckinghamshire 1 
			 Cheshire 2 
			 Cleveland 3 
			 County Durham and Darlington 1 
			 Devon 1 
			 Gloucestershire 1 
			 Lancashire 1 
			 Leicestershire 2 
			 London 3 
			 Merseyside 26 
			 Nottinghamshire 2 
			 Royal Berkshire 2 
			 South Wales 3 
			 South Yorkshire 6 
			 Staffordshire 1 
			 West Midlands 9 
			 Total 64

Fire Service

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many deliberate (a) property and (b) vehicle fires were recorded in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of deliberate fires attended by Fire and Rescue services in England is as follows:
	
		
			  (a) Property fires (buildings) (b) Vehicle fires (road vehicles) 
		
		
			 1997–98 26,045 36,045 
			 1998–99 23,858 42,631 
			 1999–2000 25,990 54,499 
			 2000–01 24,965 59,057 
			 2001–02 28,164 68,634 
			 2002–03(33) 25,492 67,296 
			 2003–04(34) 26,481 58,645 
		
	
	(33)Includes estimates for 15 strike days.
	(34)Provisional figures
	Note:
	Figures derived from a grossed up 20 per cent. sample of fires attended.
	Source:
	Fire and Rescue service FDR1 returns to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Fire Service

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made on the Firelink scheme; how much the scheme has cost; what resources have been allocated to it; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) is in the final stage of discussions with the proposers following receipt of best and final offers. Our aim is to secure a radio system that meets the needs of the FRS and provides value for money for the taxpayer. The imperative is to run a fair and open competition under EU procurement procedures. Some £9 million has been spent on work to replace high risk items of brigades current radio systems to ensure that they continue to be operationally effective until they can be replaced by Firelink. Cost information relating to the main procurement is commercially sensitive. The multi-disciplinary project team comprises ODPM staff, secondees from the fire and rescue services and technical consultants.

Hazardous Waste Treatment Plants

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what planning applications have been made in (a) 2002, (b) 2003, (c) 2004 and (d) 2005 to date for hazardous waste treatment plants; and what the capacity and location of each plant is.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Housing

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many and what percentage of children with (a) a disability and (b) a serious medical condition that requires adapted housing live in accommodation that is not fit for purpose in each English region.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Housing

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authority-owned properties in each London borough do not meet the Government's decent homes standard; and what the estimated cost is of bringing them up to that standard.

Yvette Cooper: The number of local authority-owned properties that do not meet the Government's decent homes standard, along with the estimated cost of bringing them up to that standard, are shown in the following table, for each London borough. The data are as reported to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the 2004 HIP Business Plan Statistical Appendices.
	
		
			 Authority Number of LA owned non decent dwellings at 1 April 2004 Cost to make all dwellings decent at 1 April 2004 (£000) 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 11,091 129,000 
			 Barnet 6,047 16,329 
			 Brent 4,313 81,425 
			 Camden 23,324 301,321 
			 City of London 1,015 2,455 
			 Croydon 3,325 24,251 
			 Ealing 5,598 86,384 
			 Enfield 3,710 12,289 
			 Greenwich 17,693 122,993 
			 Hackney 18,488 320,000 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 3,548 26,804 
			 Haringey 9,741 45,366 
			 Harrow 2,685 8,962 
			 Havering 2,391 4,939 
			 Hillingdon 3,405 34,047 
			 Hounslow 5,258 34,110 
			 Islington 16,829 192,272 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 3036 42,968 
			 Kingston upon Thames 1,423 (35)— 
			 Lambeth 12,747 41,237 
			 Lewisham 16,259 137,854 
			 Merton 1,852 6,350 
			 Newham 9,812 142,901 
			 Redbridge 1,307 3,121 
			 Southwark 20,070 405,579 
			 Sutton 3,506 27,921 
			 Tower Hamlets 18,218 197,307 
			 Waltham Forest 9,226 168,620 
			 Wandsworth 795 6,259 
			 Westminster 4,272 80,675 
		
	
	(35)Indicates missing data

Housing

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department has made an assessment of the impact of levying VAT on the refurbishment and enlargement of older homes but not on new build homes on (a) the character of (i) St Albans and (ii) market towns with a significant stock of older homes, (b) the number of houses built before 1930 that are demolished and (c) the implementation of regionally imposed planning targets; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not made these assessments.

Housing

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homes have (a) no and (b) partial central heating in each English region; and what percentage this is of the dwelling stock.

Yvette Cooper: The available information, for homes with no central or programmable heating within each region in 2001, is published at Table 11, page 30 of the English House Condition Survey 2001: Regional Report (ODPM, 2003).

Housing

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how much funding for housing the London borough of Haringey council has received in each financial year since the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 came into force; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many applicants for funding under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 within the London borough of Haringey have been (a) successful, (b) refused and (c) put on a waiting list; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Government funding in support of the London borough of Haringey's housing capital investment programme since 1996 has been (in £1,000s) as follows:
	
		
			  Supported borrowing Major repairs allowance (introduced in 2001–02) Disabled facilities grant Private sector renewal grant Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 12,215 — 311 1,402 13,928 
			 1998–99 14,341 — 396 1,150 15,887 
			 1999–2000 14,109 — 435 1,265 15,809 
			 2000–01 27,652 — 547 0 28,199 
			 2001–02 18,697 13,403 567 0 32,667 
			 2002–03 20,127 13,447 526 158 34,258 
			 2003–04 15,925 13,799 556 286 30,566 
			 2004–05 12,253 12,643 475 17 25,388 
			 2005–06 12,753 12,272 484 0 25,509 
		
	
	From 2000–01 Government support for private sector housing renewal grants was no longer ring fenced and was included in the total for supported borrowing, except for residual payments relating to committed expenditure in renewal areas.
	The Government do not collect centrally the number of applications for renewal grants or information on waiting lists. The number and the total value of renewal grants under the 1996 Act completed in Haringey in each year since 1997 are as follows:
	
		Private sector housing renewal assistance given in Haringey (including DFGs)
		
			   Total number of grants completed Total local authority expenditure on grants (£000) 
		
		
			 1997–98 387 2,956 
			 1998–99 432 2,585 
			 1999–2000 421 2,847 
			 2000–01 333 4,178 
			 2001–02 586 5,906 
			 2002–03 521 3,727 
			 2003–04 717 7,527

Housing

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people are on waiting lists to be rehoused in each London borough.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Jeremy Corbyn) on 7 June 2005, Official Report, columns 492–93W.

Listed Buildings

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many grade (a) one and (b) two listed buildings in England have been (i) demolished, (ii) lost by fire and (iii) otherwise lost since 1997.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is not available in the format specified. English Heritage who maintain the statutory list however confirmed that 683 buildings have been removed from the statutory list since 31 December 1996.

Local Authority Housing Stock

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to implement his plans to allow councils to resume building of council housing.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 6 June 2005
	Local authorities have been given the financial freedom to build new social housing through the Private Finance Initiative. Increasingly local authorities are taking up this option.

Local Government

Graham Allen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the progress made by local authorities in producing written constitutions; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: By the end of December 2002 all principal local authorities had adopted and implemented their constitutions, under the Local Government Act 2000. The Act requires each local authority to keep its constitution up to date and to make copies available for inspection by members of the public.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the (a) housing, (b) regeneration and (c) social exclusion scheme funding streams that will be in operation in 2005–06.

Yvette Cooper: The following lists set out the funding streams from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister currently in operation in 2005–06:
	Housing:
	Arms Length Management Organisations
	Best Value Intervention in Housing
	Disabled Facilities Grants
	Gypsy Site Grant
	Homelessness
	Housing Action Trusts
	Housing Bill Implementation (Home Buying and Selling, Landlord Licensing and Safety Ratings, Tenants Deposit Scheme)
	Housing Defects Grants/Loan Charges
	Housing Management Grants
	Housing Mobility Service
	Housing Revenue Account Subsidy
	Large Scale Voluntary Transfers—gap funding and repayment of overhanging debt
	Leasehold Enfranchisement Advisory Service
	Choice-based Letting Schemes
	Local Authority Social Housing Grant—Transitional Compensation
	Private Housing Renewal
	Private Landlords in Low Demand Areas
	Programme efficiencies in social housing
	Residential Property Tribunal Service
	Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund
	Single Housing Capital Pot (includes Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme and Local Authority Supported Capital Expenditure for Housing)
	Supporting People
	The National Approved Letting Scheme
	Regeneration:
	Coalfields funding (Enterprise Fund and Regeneration Trust)
	Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
	Design Awards
	English Partnerships (including Commission for the New Towns)
	European Regional Development Fund
	Groundwork and National Urban Forestry Unit
	Housing Market Renewal Fund
	Interreg (European funding stream)
	Lea Valley Regional Park
	Liveability Fund
	Living Spaces
	Mersey Basin
	New Deal for Communities
	New Ventures Fund
	Neighbourhood Renewal Fund
	Other Growth Areas
	Regional Development Agencies (including London Development Agency)
	Single Regeneration Budget
	Special Grants Programme
	Thames Gateway
	Green Flags
	Liveability Performance
	Academy for Sustainable Communities (formerly Urban Design Skills)
	The Government also funds the work of the Social Exclusion Unit. The Unit does not administer funding streams directly but does work with Government Departments and other stakeholders to ensure that a wide range of Government funding programmes contribute to the reduction of social exclusion.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also funds research on housing, regeneration and social exclusion.

Local Strategic Partnerships

John Pugh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what executive powers local strategic partnerships have.

Phil Woolas: Local strategic partnerships (LSPs) are non-statutory, non-executive bodies which bring together public, private, voluntary and community interests to work together more effectively. They have no executive powers and rely on the goodwill of their partners to operate.

Local Strategic Partnerships

John Pugh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the composition of each local strategic partnership is.

Phil Woolas: The Department does not hold information on the composition of each local strategic partnerships (LSPs). LSPs are non-statutory bodies intended to provide a forum for a range of local organisations and interests, with the specific membership of individual LSPs dependent on local circumstances. However, research shows that almost all LSPs have high representation from across the local public, private, voluntary and community sectors.

London Housing Board

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the minutes of his meetings with the London Housing Board in (a) December 2003 and (b) January 2004 concerning its recommendations on investment allocations in 2004 to 2006.

Yvette Cooper: There were no meetings between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Ministers and the London Housing Board in December 2003 or January 2004. Minutes and papers for London Housing Board meetings are available on the Government Office for London website (www.gos.gov.uk/gol).

London Housing Board

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will require the London Housing Board to dedicate sufficient resources to ensure that it delivers the London Plan target of 70 per cent. of new affordable housing being social rented homes.

Yvette Cooper: Decisions on the allocation of resources for housing investment in England are taken by Ministers in the light of national and regional housing objectives. Regional Housing Boards provide recommendations on the split of funding for their region between different activities and the distribution across the region. These recommendations need to take account of national housing targets and regional priorities and any targets set out in Regional Housing and Spatial Strategies.
	Housing Boards are currently submitting recommendations on allocation of resources for 2006–07 and 2007–08. Decisions on these, including the balance of funding for social rented and other affordable housing in London, will be taken later this year.

Mobile Phone Masts

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to review national planning policy guidance on mobile telephone telecommunications masts; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Current planning guidance for all electronic communication developments is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8 (revised) (PPG8). The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also issued a Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development. In September last year we commissioned the University of Reading and Arup to undertake an independent study to assess the impact that the code has had since its introduction. The report will be published in due course. This forms part of a review the Government are undertaking of all the planning arrangements surrounding telecommunication masts.

Mobile Phone Masts

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received since 2001 against the current planning law on mobile phone telecommunications masts; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister receives many representations on matters relating to the telecommunications industry. The information about such representations is not readily available in the breakdown requested and could be only provided at disproportionate cost.

Mortgage Possession Orders

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many mortgage possession orders were made in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Data on mortgage possession proceedings for England and Wales are collected by the Department of Constitutional Affairs from HM Courts Service and published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_ 604098.xls.
	The figures record how many possession proceedings have been issued, but do not indicate how many properties were actually taken into possession, since many orders will not be enforced. That information is not separately recorded.

Negative Subsidy

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was taken in negative subsidy from (a) all housing associations and (b) housing associations in Tamworth in each of the last two years.

Yvette Cooper: Housing associations are not part of the housing revenue account subsidy system.

Parking Meters

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many parking meters there were in each London borough per 1,000 population in the last year for which figures are available.

Karen Buck: I have been asked to reply.
	Since 3 July 2000, the Mayor has had overall responsibility for traffic management in London. However, responsibility for parking enforcement in London generally rests with the relevant local authority. It is a matter for individual local authorities to decide on the nature and scope of parking controls, including the number of parking meter and pay and display parking spaces, and to balance the needs of residents, emergency services, local business and those who work and travel in the area.
	While we do not hold any up to date figures, the Association of London Government has provided the following information:
	
		
			 Borough Number of parking meter spaces Number of pay and display spaces(36) 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 0 44 
			 Barnet 36 79 
			 Bexley 294 136 
			 Brent 0 600 
			 Bromley 28 6,103 
			 Camden 1,127 2,591 
			 Corporation of London 0 889 
			 Croydon 0 643 
			 Ealing 0 600 
			 Enfield 0 600 
			 Greenwich 352 0 
			 Hackney — 562 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 0 
			 Haringey — 676 
			 Harrow — 628 
			 Havering 200 0 
			 Hillingdon 44 380 
			 Hounslow 137 148 
			 Islington 0 4,829 
			 Royal Borough of Kensington  and Chelsea 0 6,000 
			 Royal Borough of Kingston-  upon-Thames 32 598 
			 Lambeth 372 2,700 
			 Lewisham 374 n/a 
			 Merton 47 415 
			 Newham 0 344 
			 Redbridge 393 391 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 335 255 
			 Southwark 1,000 — 
			 Sutton 0 907 
			 Tower Hamlets 0 1,188 
			 Waltham Forest 0 200 
			 Wandsworth 0 4,026 
			 Westminster City Council 4,568 3,000 
		
	
	(36)Number includes only local authority-owned pay & display space. Privately-owned off-street pay and display spaces are not included.
	Mid-year population estimates (thousands, 1993–03) are shown in the following table.
	
		thousand
		
			 Borough 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 162.4 163.9 165.7 165.9 165.9 
			 Barnet 313.5 315.8 319.5 322.3 324.4 
			 Bexley 217.5 218.7 218.8 218.6 219.1 
			 Brent 260.3 264.9 269.6 269.7 267.8 
			 Bromley 294.9 295.3 296.2 297.1 298.3 
			 Camden 190.0 196.2 202.6 207.0 210.7 
			 City of London 6.6 7.0 7.4 7.7 8.0 
			 Croydon 332.1 334.2 335.1 335.9 336.7 
			 Ealing 302.3 304.4 307.3 307.8 305.0 
			 Enfield 272.7 275.1 277.3 280.0 280.3 
			 Greenwich 212.2 214.4 217.5 221.1 223.7 
			 Hackney 199.1 203.4 207.2 208.9 208.4 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 160.6 164.4 169.4 172.7 174.2 
			 Haringey 218.6 219.8 221.3 224.3 224.7 
			 Harrow 207.9 209.1 210.0 211.3 210.7 
			 Havering 225.7 225.1 224.7 224.5 224.6 
			 Hillingdon 245.1 245.9 245.6 246.8 247.6 
			 Hounslow 214.3 214.7 216.0 215.4 212.9 
			 Islington 175.7 177.9 179.4 180.2 180.1 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 147.7 154.7 162.2 168.4 174.4 
			 Kingston upon Thames 146.0 147.3 149.0 150.1 150.4 
			 Lambeth 266.8 270.0 273.4 271.1 268.5 
			 Lewisham 250.3 252.1 254.3 251.9 248.3 
			 Merton 185.1 188.2 191.1 191.7 191.4 
			 Newham 240.5 245.5 249.4 251.8 250.6 
			 Redbridge 238.1 239.9 241.9 242.4 245.1 
			 Richmond upon Thames 172.8 172.9 174.3 176.5 179.2 
			 Southwark 247.9 252.7 256.7 255.4 253.8 
			 Sutton 179.4 180.5 181.5 180.2 178.5 
			 Tower Hamlets 193.5 197.1 201.1 204.6 206.6 
			 Waltham Forest 221.1 221.3 222.0 221.9 221.6 
			 Wandsworth 264.2 267.7 271.7 273.5 274.1 
			 Westminster 189.2 196.5 203.3 214.4 222.0 
		
	
	Source:
	ONS, Date: 09/09/04

Playing Fields

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many applications for planning permission on school playing fields were approved in each English region in each quarter since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Private Finance Initiative

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the Private Finance Initiative and Public Private Partnership projects his Department is undertaking; and what the status of each is.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently undertaking the following Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and Public Private Partnerships (PPP) projects.
	
		Signed and Operational PFI/PPP projects
		
			 Authority/Body  
		
		
			 QE II Conference Centre Catering PFI Project 
			 NE Derbyshire district council Holmwood Social Housing PFI Project 
			 Derby city council Social Housing PFI 
			 LB Islington Street Properties I 
			 Manchester city council A6 Plymouth Grove Housing PFI 
			 Selby Selby, Sherburn and Tadcaster Housing PFI 
			 LB Hammersmith and Fulham Future Services for Older People, Housing PFI 
			 LB Reading North Whitley Housing PFI 
			 Warrington borough council Anson and Blenheim Close, Social Housing PFI 
			 Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire Fire Authorities Fire Training Facility PFI 
			 North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Fire Training Facility and Fire Station PFI 
			 London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Fire Vehicles and Equipment PFI 
			 Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service Divisional HQ and two fire stations PFI 
			 Cornwall County Council—Fire Service Fire Stations 
			 Greater Manchester County Fire Service Stretford Divisional Headquarters and Fire Station 
			 South Wales Fire Authority PFI Training Centre for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service 
			 Tyne and Wear Fire and Civil Defence Authority New HQ and community fire stations 
			 Bolton Community Learning Resource Centre (joint with DfES and DCMS) 
			 Bournemouth Library (joint with DCMS) 
			 Brighton Library (joint with DCMS) 
			 Brighton Schools PFI Project (joint with DfES) 
			 Cambridgeshire Community ICT Network 
			 Cheshire Ellesmere Port Schools/Community Facilities (joint with DfES) 
			 Copeland Office Regeneration 
			 Croydon Customer Focus 
			 Hackney Technology and Learning Centre 
			 Liverpool Speke Learning Centre (joint with DfES) 
			 North Wiltshire Property Rationalisation 
			 Norwich Norwich Connect 
			 Redcar and Cleveland Office Accommodation 
			 Sheffield Office Accommodation 
			 Sunderland City Learning Centre (joint with DfES and DCMS) 
			 Tower Hamlets Mulberry Schools and Community Sports Facilities (joint with DfES) 
			 Trafford Sale New Civic Centre Office Accommodation 
			 Essex Clacton JSC (joint with DfES) 
			 Sefton Crosby Leisure Centre 
			 Uttlesford Three New Sports and Leisure Centres 
			 Kent CC Strategic IT 
			 L.B. Harrow Revenues Benefits 
			 Derby city council Revenues Benefits 
			   
			 Signed but not Operational PFI/PPP Projects 
			 Leeds city council Swarcliffe Housing PFI 
			 London borough of Newham Canning Town Housing PFI 
			 Stoke-on-Trent Bentilee District Centre 
			 Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre (joint with DCMS) 
			 L.B. Barking and Dagenham Joint Service Centre (joint with DfES)

Property Searches

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average time taken to conduct a standard search on a property was in each English region in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not collect data on average time taken for a standard search.
	The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Public Sector Land

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether any (a) vacant and (b) surplus public sector-owned site being reviewed by English Partnerships is (i)in and (ii) in close proximity to a (A) conservation area and (B) site of special scientific interest.

Yvette Cooper: English Partnerships' review of the sites on the register of surplus public sector land will help to confirm whether any are in or close to conservation areas and sites of special scientific interest. The principle source of information for English Partnerships' review will be the local plans covering the areas in which the sites are located.

Public Sector Land

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the survey of surplus brownfield public sector-owned land undertaken by English Partnerships.

Yvette Cooper: English Partnerships is undertaking a review of sites on the register of surplus public sector land they maintain on behalf of Government. As at March 2005 there were 713 sites on the register. Sites are continually being added to the Register as they are identified as surplus by landowners in central government and removed once they receive expressions of interests after a site has been marketed. A list of the sites, as at March 2005, can be found on the English Partnerships website at: http://www.englishpartnerships.co.uk/images/16EE954C904340DDAB44702EF5D2ADE6.pdf English Partnerships will publish a quarterly update of sites on the Register.

Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what arrangements are in place to ensure that bodies within the responsibility of his Office comply with the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Jim Fitzpatrick: It is the responsibility of each public authority (which include Government Departments, local authorities, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies) to ensure that it is acting in compliance with its duties on race relations.
	We published the draft 2005–08 race equality scheme for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) on 31 May 2005 for consultation. The draft scheme covers all policies and functions across the ODPM and its three executive agencies, as well as the employment practices of the nine regional Government offices and their delivery of ODPM's policies. The draft scheme identifies clear aims and outcomes for each work area, which will be reviewed and updated every twelve months. The actions set out are vital in assisting us to develop and deliver policies and operations effective in a multi-ethnic society.
	Our consultation closes at the end of August; the draft scheme will then be revised as necessary and republished in mid-October.

Recycling

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was spent by each London borough on recycling services in the last year for which figures are available.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Regeneration Expenditure

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much, and what percentage, of money allocated for regeneration has been spent on (a) lawyers and (b) consultants in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was formed in May 2002. The Office holds no information prior to 2002. Departmental records taken from the SAP reporting system show expenditure attributed to consultancy and its percentage of the total spend on regeneration. There is no recorded expenditure for legal fees. Details of available spend information are as follows:
	
		
			  2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Total expenditure (£) 3,188,140,060 4,016,727,454 3,852,655,244 
			 
			 Consultancy (£) 37,079 854,376 1,432,912 
			 Consultancy (percentage) 0.001163 0.02127 0.03719 
			 
			 Legal (£) 0 0 16,000 
			 Legal (percentage) 0 0 0.000415

Rent Arrears

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was owed to (a) local authorities and (b) housing associations in rent arrears on the last date for which figures are available.

Yvette Cooper: In English local authorities, current tenants' cumulative arrears of rent at the end of 2003–04, excluding arrears of council tax, water rates and heating and service charges, was £277 million. The corresponding amount for former tenants was £205 million, giving a total of £482 million.
	At the end of 2003–04, English housing associations were owed by current and former tenants £385 million in cumulative rent arrears.

Right to Buy

Tim Farron: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department plans to amend the cap on the discounts tenants in council housing wanting to purchase their own property are eligible to receive.

Yvette Cooper: There are no current plans to amend the cap on discounts for tenants in council housing wanting to purchase 100 per cent. of the home they live in. However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is consulting on a series of options for tenants wishing to purchase a share of their home under Social Homebuy.

Second Homes

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many second homes there were in each local authority area, and what proportion this was of the local housing stock, in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The available information has been made available in the Library of the House.

Second Homes

Tim Farron: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to make changes to planning law to ensure that an application for change of category of use of a residential dwelling must be made before a property can be purchased for the purpose of using it as a second home.

Yvette Cooper: In its manifesto, the Government made a commitment to set up a housing commission to explore mechanisms that would increase access to affordable housing for people who live and work in rural areas. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are currently scoping the terms of reference for the commission and an announcement will be made shortly. It is anticipated that the commission will consider whether there is any case for government intervention, through planning control or otherwise, on second homes.

Second Homes

Tim Farron: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the impact on (a) affordability and (b) availability of homes for local people of high levels of second home ownership.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recognises the concerns that are felt, particularly in rural communities, about the impact of second home ownership on the affordability and availability of homes for local people. We have accordingly taken a number of steps to alleviate housing pressures in areas with high levels of second home ownership. In particular, we have reduced the council tax discount for second homes, and have made changes to planning policy to enable local authorities to allocate sites solely for affordable housing for local people in perpetuity, alongside a continuing rural exception approach.

Sickness Absence

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average number of days' sickness absence taken by staff in (a) all local authorities and (b) each local authority was in each year since 1997.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold information on local authority sickness absence prior to the introduction of Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) from April 2000. Since then, local authorities have reported their performance against BV12 Working days lost due to sickness absence". The average number of days' sickness absence as reported against BV12 in all authorities and each county and district authority each year since 2000–01 has been made available in the Library of the House.
	These data from 2001–02 are also available on the Best Value Performance Indicator website at www.bvpi.gov.uk.

Social Housing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people were on the housing need list in Coventry, South on the latest date for which figures are available; how many new lettings there were in the constituency in 2004–05; and how many new dwellings are expected to become available for new tenancies within the constituency in 2005–06.

Yvette Cooper: Information is not collected at constituency level, only at local authority level. Summary information for Coventry city council is tabled, which shows
	the number of households on the housing waiting lists at 1 April 2004;
	the number of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) lettings made to new tenants during 2004–05; and
	the number of new RSL dwellings planned for rent covering two years, 2004–05 and 2005–06.
	Coventry city council transferred all council housing owned by them to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in 2000–01. The council now maintains a common waiting list with RSLs in their district. However, information is not held centrally where a RSL maintains a separate waiting list to the local authority.
	The number of new RSL dwellings planned for rent has been provided covering two years as the Housing Corporation now plan the building of new RSL dwellings using a two-year allocation process.
	
		Housing waiting list numbers, new RSL lettings made and new RSL dwellings planned for rent in 2004–05 and 2005–06
		
			  Coventry city council 
		
		
			 Households on the housing waiting list at 1 April 2004 9,650 
			 Number of RSL lettings to new tenants during  2004–05 2,847 
			 Number of new RSL dwellings planned for rent in  2004–05 and 2005–06(37) 164 
		
	
	(37)Figure represents allocations for rent schemes, both new build and acquisition and refurbishment over the two years 2004–06 at time of the Housing Corporation's submission to Ministers for approval of their Approved Development Programme (ADP).
	Source:
	ODPM's Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return, Housing Corporation's CORE return and the Housing Corporation's ADP records.

Social Housing

Gary Streeter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many social houses to rent were provided in (a) Devon and (b) Plymouth in 2004.

Yvette Cooper: The number of new affordable homes provided for rent through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme and Transitional Local Authority Social Housing Grant for 2004–05 in Devon CC (excluding Plymouth and Torbay), Plymouth and Torbay are shown as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Devon CC 299 
			 Plymouth 125 
			 Torbay 43 
		
	
	Note:
	These figures include new build dwellings, acquisitions and refurbishments.
	Source:
	Housing Corporation

Social Housing

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council received from the Local Authority Social Housing Grant in the year before it was abolished.

Yvette Cooper: Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG) was abolished from 1 April 2003. Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council received £1.85 million of LASHG funding in 2002–03.

Social Housing

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the reasons were for the abolition of the local authority social housing grant.

Yvette Cooper: Local authority social housing grant (LASHG) was an unfair funding mechanism that did not allocate funds to areas of greatest need, consistently underspent nationally, and gave unfair advantage to debt free local authorities. It was abolished on 1 April 2003. Under new arrangements, resources for housing are targeted to areas of greatest need, in line with the measures set out in Sustainable communities: building for the future".

South East England Regional Assembly

Anne Milton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the role is of the South East England regional assembly in respect of waste and incineration policy.

Yvette Cooper: Initially the South East England regional assembly is responsible for drafting the regional waste strategy, which forms part of the regional spatial strategy for the south east. Once the draft strategy has been tested and finalised by Government, the assembly becomes responsible for implementing and monitoring the strategy. Government expects to consult on further changes of the regional waste strategy this summer.

Streetcare Inspectors

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many streetcare inspectors were employed by each London borough per 1,000 population in the last period for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold this information.

Streetlights

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authority-maintained streetlights there were in each London borough per 1,000 population in the last period for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently processing up-to-date data on the number of streetlighting columns in England. This data will be available shortly.

Traffic Wardens

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many traffic wardens were employed by each London borough per 1,000 population in the last year for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Since 3 July 2000, the Mayor has had overall responsibility for traffic management in London. Traffic wardens are employed by Transport for London to enforce parking on the Priority (Red) Route Network (TfL Roads).
	However, responsibility for parking enforcement in London, generally rests with the relevant local authority. London boroughs employ parking attendants to enforce parking controls on all the roads for which they are the highway authority.
	The Association of London Government has provided the following information:
	
		
			 Borough Number of parking attendants 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 14 
			 Barnet 37 
			 Bexley 25 
			 Brent 65 
			 Bromley 29 
			 Camden 248 
			 Corporation of London 59 
			 Croydon 81 
			 Ealing 70 
			 Enfield 46 
			 Greenwich 20 
			 Hackney 72 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 85 
			 Haringey 40 
			 Harrow 22 
			 Havering 15 
			 Hillingdon 45 
			 Hounslow 40 
			 Islington 158 
			 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 151 
			 Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames 30 
			 Lambeth 131 
			 Lewisham 20 
			 Merton 25 
			 Newham 50 
			 Redbridge 40 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 43 
			 Southwark 59 
			 Sutton 22 
			 Tower Hamlets 38 
			 Waltham Forest 45 
			 Wandsworth 86 
			 Westminster city council 388 
		
	
	Mid-year population estimates (thousands, 1993–2003) are shown in the following table.
	
		Thousand
		
			 Borough 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 162.4 163.9 165.7 165.9 165.9 
			 Barnet 313.5 315.8 319.5 322.3 324.4 
			 Bexley 217.5 218.7 218.8 218.6 219.1 
			 Brent 260.3 264.9 269.6 269.7 267.8 
			 Bromley 294.9 295.3 296.2 297.1 298.3 
			 Camden 190.0 196.2 202.6 207.0 210.7 
			 City of London 6.6 7.0 7.4 7.7 8.0 
			 Croydon 332.1 334.2 335.1 335.9 336.7 
			 Ealing 302.3 304.4 307.3 307.8 305.0 
			 Enfield 272.7 275.1 277.3 280.0 280.3 
			 Greenwich 212.2 214.4 217.5 221.1 223.7 
			 Hackney 199.1 203.4 207.2 208.9 208.4 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 160.6 164.4 169.4 172.7 174.2 
			 Haringey 218.6 219.8 221.3 224.3 224.7 
			 Harrow 207.9 209.1 210.0 211.3 210.7 
			 Havering 225.7 225.1 224.7 224.5 224.6 
			 Hillingdon 245.1 245.9 245.6 246.8 247.6 
			 Hounslow 214.3 214.7 216.0 215.4 212.9 
			 Islington 175.7 177.9 179.4 180.2 180.1 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 147.7 154.7 162.2 168.4 174.4 
			 Kingston upon Thames 146.0 147.3 149.0 150.1 150.4 
			 Lambeth 266.8 270.0 273.4 271.1 268.5 
			 Lewisham 250.3 252.1 254.3 251.9 248.3 
			 Merton 185.1 188.2 191.1 191.7 191.4 
			 Newham 240.5 245.5 249.4 251.8 250.6 
			 Redbridge 238.1 239.9 241.9 242.4 245.1 
			 Richmond upon Thames 172.8 172.9 174.3 176.5 179.2 
			 Southwark 247.9 252.7 256.7 255.4 253.8 
			 Sutton 179.4 180.5 181.5 180.2 178.5 
			 Tower Hamlets 193.5 197.1 201.1 204.6 206.6 
			 Waltham Forest 221.1 221.3 222.0 221.9 221.6 
			 Wandsworth 264.2 267.7 271.7 273.5 274.1 
			 Westminster 189.2 196.5 203.3 214.4 222.0 
		
	
	Source:
	ONS, Date: 9 September 2004

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Afghanistan on the threat to women from rape, abduction, sexual violence and forced marriage; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UK and other EU member states regularly raise human rights issues with the Afghan Government, including the rights of women and girls.
	Women's rights in Afghanistan are protected by the new constitution, ratified in January 2004. The constitution contains specific articles on women's equality and rights of political participation. The constitution also requires the Government to uphold their obligations under international law. Rape and forced marriage are both prohibited by Afghanistan's obligations under the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, both of which Afghanistan has ratified. As we have stated in the past, it is important that these rights now be implemented in practice.
	In 2004–05 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is providing £240,000 over two years to the Bar Council to train Afghan legal practitioners in human rights and women's rights advocacy.

Afghanistan

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many members of staff in his Department are deployed in Afghanistan.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently has 24 staff serving in Afghanistan. They are complemented by a number of officers seconded from other Departments. The total number of UK staff in Afghanistan changes on a regular basis.

Afghanistan

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the projected levels of deployment for his Department's personnel to Afghanistan is by the (a) end of 2005, (b) middle of 2006 and (c) end of 2006.

Kim Howells: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staffing levels are kept under constant review. Current plans for future FCO staffing in Afghanistan do not envisage any significant change to the number currently deployed.

Charter of Fundamental Rights

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those cases in which the Charter of Fundamental Rights has been cited as a source of law or guidance for the European Court of Justice in (a) the Advocate-General's opinions and (b) the judges' decisions; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The fundamental rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights and the common constitutional traditions of the member states have for many years been cited in the case law of the European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance: in parties' submissions to the Court, in opinions of the Advocates General and in the judgments of the Courts. Though not legally binding, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the Union is a recent and high profile political statement of the rights, freedoms and principles applicable in the EU and as such have since its adoption in 2000 been referred to frequently by litigants, and by the Advocates General and the CFI.
	A search of the Court's website provides a list of officially reported cases which contain references to the Charter at some point in the opinion or judgment. These references however appear in the summaries of the parties' arguments as well as in the paragraphs setting out the reasoning of the judges and Advocates General. A detailed analysis of the extent to which the judges or the Advocates General relied on the charter in reaching their conclusions on the merits of the case could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The list can be found at:
	http://curia.eu.int/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=en&Submit= Submit&docj=docj&docop=docop&numaff=&datefs= &datefe=&nomusuel=&domaine=&mots=%22charter+ of+fundamental+rights%22&resmax=

China

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the UK's objectives in the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue have been achieved in the last 12 months.

Ian Pearson: The objectives of the UK China Human Rights Dialogue are long term and ambitious. The 2005 issue of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Human Rights report will, when published this summer, provide an update on the mixed progress there has been towards fulfilling these objectives.
	We continue to encourage China to take steps to improve their record on human rights. The latest round of dialogue took place on 6 June 2005.

Colombia

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Colombian authorities regarding death threats to the Colombian Inter-Ecclesiastical Commission for Justice and Peace.

Douglas Alexander: On behalf of the European Union, the Dutch ambassador in Bogota (in his capacity as local EU presidency) recently raised with the Colombian Government the EU's concerns over these specific threats to Justice and Peace, a non-governmental organisation that seeks to defend human rights. The presidency sought assurances that measures would be taken to protect the people concerned. The British embassy also hosted a meeting between Justice and Peace and the diplomatic corps shortly after the threats became public to demonstrate support for Justice and Peace. We regularly raise specific human rights cases, either unilaterally or as part of the EU, with the Colombian authorities. We also urge the Colombian Government to implement the recommendations arising from successive annual reports from the Colombia office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and have offered our assistance to achieve this.

Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers from his Department will attend the Defence Systems and Equipment International exhibition in September.

Kim Howells: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers currently have no plans to attend the Defence Systems and Equipment International exhibition in September.

British Detainees (Torture Allegations)

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  how many times in each of the last five years his Department has requested an impartial investigation by the relevant national authorities into allegations of the torture or ill-treatment of British citizens detained abroad;
	(2)  how many times in each of the last five years the Department has raised concerns about the torture or ill-treatment of British citizens detained abroad with the relevant national authorities;
	(3)  how many times in each of the last five years the Department has received representations regarding the torture or ill-treatment of British citizens detained abroad.

Kim Howells: Information about action taken in relation to allegations of mistreatment of British nationals in detention overseas is kept on individual case files. We do not keep central records which would enable me to provide exact figures. It would incur disproportionate cost to undertake the research necessary to provide the information requested. However, we do take such allegations very seriously and our policy on raising these cases with the relevant authorities is actively pursued, taking into consideration the particular circumstances of each case.

EU Constitution

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the budget for informing the public about the EU, including the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe, has been spent, broken down by category of activity.

Douglas Alexander: No final decisions have yet been made on communications activities on the EU constitutional treaty for financial year 2005–06. The separate budget for communicating the UK presidency of the EU to the British public will be spent during the presidency itself.

EU Constitution

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his oral statement of 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 991–1005, on the EU Constitutional Treaty, on what grounds the Government believe that the new vote weighting system for the Council of the European Union proposed in the Constitution for Europe is in the UK's interests; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Constitutional Treaty includes a simplified system of qualified majority voting where a minimum number of member states representing a minimum percentage of the EU's population are required to pass legislation. As set out in the September 2004 White Paper on the EU Constitutional Treaty (Cm 6309), the Government are happy with the new mechanism which provides a reasonable balance between passing and blocking legislation. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Commentary on the Treaty (Cm 6459) provides a detailed analysis in the changes in voting rules which would be introduced by the EU Constitutional Treaty.

EU Fraud

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the incidence of fraud in each EU programme has been in each of the last five years; what steps are being taken to guard against such fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Government do not hold such information. The most useful information on this subject is available from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Member states are required to report cases of irregularities, including possible fraud, to OLAF. The Commission publishes the resulting figures in its annual Fight Against Fraud" report. These figures include cases of suspected fraud, but OLAF has not until now published separate figures for fraud. The figures for irregularities for 2003 and the previous four years can be found in the annex to the latest report (COM (2004) 573 final, 30 August 2004), available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/anti_fraud/reports/commission/2003/en.pdf
	We expect the report covering 2004 to be published later this year—probably in August—and we understand that this will include an analysis of the extent of fraud.
	The Government takes all instances of fraud or suspected fraud very seriously, and continually presses the Commission and other member states to take effective anti-fraud measures to protect the EU budgets, in line with their treaty obligations. Although the Commission has overall responsibility for EU budget implementation, over 80 per cent. of the budget is managed by member states. They, and not the EC institutions, are responsible for any irregularities or fraud occurring in the part of the budget that they administer.
	The European Commission has carried out reforms during the past few years which are intended to reduce and prevent fraud. The current financial regulation, which governs all transactions entered into by the European institutions, defines accountability, ensures stringent audit requirements and a modernised accounting system, and requires all spending to be subject to objective-setting and evaluation. The new EC staff regulation of May 2004 introduced measures to protect whistleblowers. The Commission evaluated the effectiveness of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) thoroughly in 2003 and the European Court of Auditors' report on OLAF, which will further review OLAF's performance and achievements, will be published shortly.

Hamas

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations the Department made to Hamas at the recent meeting held between his officials and Hamas members on (a) ceasing and (b) ceasing support for violent attacks on Israel; what representations were made to Hamas members themselves; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  on what dates he expects meetings between his officials and Hamas members to take place; in what circumstances such meetings would be held; who he expects will attend from (a) his Department and (b) Hamas; what issues he expects to be on the agenda; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what representations his Department received from Israel on a meeting between his officials and Hamas members; what discussions with Israel the Department held (a) before and (b) after the meeting with Hamas; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  on what dates his officials met members of Hamas; which officials were present; which Hamas members were present; what issues were discussed; what decisions were taken; what the outcome of the meetings were; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what his policy is on official meetings of UK Government representatives with Hamas.

Kim Howells: On 7 March a member of staff from the Consulate-General in Jerusalem met the recently-appointed Mayor of Deir al-Balah. On 2 June a member of staff from the Consulate-General in Jerusalem, accompanied by a colleague from the British Embassy, met the Acting Mayor of Qalqilya. In both meetings British officials made clear the Government's demand that Hamas renounce violence and recognise Israel's right to exist. They also discussed the municipality services and budget and the political, economic and humanitarian situation with both Mayors. No decisions were taken at either of these meetings, nor were there specific outcomes".
	No further meetings with elected members of Hamas are planned. The UK Government will have no contacts with the leadership of Hamas until they have dropped their commitment to the destruction of the state of Israel, and renounced the use of violence.
	Officials have had several exchanges with their Israeli counterparts. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed these contacts with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on 7 June.

Hamas

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with officials in his Department concerning meetings between his officials and members of Hamas; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with (a) Israel and (b) the Palestinian Authority concerning meetings between his officials and members of Hamas; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  when, and on how many occasions, since the death of Yasser Arafat, officials from his Department have met members of Hamas.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's decision in February—to authorise working-level contacts in the normal course of business with Hamas elected representatives not directly implicated in violence—drew on advice from officials, including representatives in the region.
	Officials have had several exchanges with their Israeli counterparts. The Foreign Secretary discussed these contacts with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on 7 June and Abu Mazen on 8 June.
	British officials have knowingly met members of Hamas on two occasions since the death of President Arafat. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) (UINs 3116 to 3120) for details of those meetings, Official Report, 13 June 2005, col. 135W.
	The deputy consul-general in Jerusalem was placed next to a senior Hamas official at President Abbas' inauguration in January. They exchanged courtesies but had no substantive conversation.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what position UK representatives are taking in discussions at the United Nations on the extension of the mandate for troops in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: There are currently no discussions taking place in the UN on the extension of the mandate for troops in Iraq. On 31 May 2005 the UN Security Council reviewed resolution 1546 which authorises the presence of the multinational force in Iraq, and agreed upon the continuation of the mandate until the completion of the political process", in accordance with the resolution and at the request of the Iraqi Government. The UK believes that the presence of the multinational force in Iraq should continue to be at the request of the Iraqi government.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers were given copies of Foreign Office briefings on the legality of military action in Iraq prior to the commencement of hostilities.

Kim Howells: The Government received advice from the Attorney-General on the legality issue. As the Government's chief legal adviser, his advice is final and authoritative within Government. All Ministers were well aware of my right hon. and noble Friend the Attorney-General's decision with respect to the legality of the military action, before the commencement of hostilities.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action was taken in response to representations made on 12 March 2004 by Theo von Boven, UN special rapporteur on torture, in relation to four men reportedly held incommunicado in detention by the Badr organisation in Basra.

Kim Howells: Mr. Boven's letter was addressed to the US Government, marked for the attention of Paul Bremer. We are pursuing with the US what action was taken.

Kuril Islands

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Japan's attempts to regain the Kuril Islands.

Ian Pearson: We consider the matter to be primarily a bilateral issue between Russia and Japan. We hope the dispute over the islands can be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.

Kalahari Game Reserve

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is towards the San claim to its ancestral land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

Ian Pearson: We are aware of the ancestral links, which the San (Basarwa) have to the land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) and its significance to their traditional nomadic lifestyle. We have some reservations about the way in which the removal of the Basarwa from the CKGR has been handled and have raised these with the Government of Botswana. Through our high commission in Gaborone, we continue to encourage the Government of Botswana to participate in constructive dialogue with the San and the negotiating team that represents their interests.

Landmines

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the UK is making to (a) the NATO Trust Fund project for the destruction of anti-personnel landmines in Serbia and Montenegro and (b) the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance for its work in Balkan countries in this financial year; what further UK funding is proposed; in what countries work is planned; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: In this financial year (2005–06) the UK has not made a contribution to the NATO South East Europe Initiative Trust Fund project for the destruction of anti-personnel landmines in Serbia and Montenegro. However, the Department for International Development is presently considering a UK contribution of £1 million to the International Trust Fund (ITF) for the current financial year. This will be used largely to fund mine action in Albania, Azerbaijan and Bosnia, but includes a sum, of approximately £350,000, which the ITF may use in any of the countries eligible for receiving funds through the Trust Fund.

Luis Posada

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the US authorities concerning the case of Luis Posada, wanted for extradition in connection with alleged terrorism.

Ian Pearson: The question of extradition of Luis Posada is a matter for the authorities in the US and for any country which may request his extradition.

Pakistan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning the murder of Pastor Shamoun Babar and Daniel Emanuel in April;
	(2)  if he will urge the Pakistani Government to take steps to increase protection for religious minorities in Pakistan;
	(3)  what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning the attack on the Apostolic Church, Khahamba near Lahore, on 27 March;
	(4)  what reports he has received concerning the effect on the Christian community in Pakistan of the recent attacks by Islamic extremists on Christian worshippers and buildings.

Kim Howells: We regularly raise our human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan, including over the experiences of religious minorities. We judge that collective action through the EU is the most effective way of voicing our concerns and we carry out regular EU de"marches, as well as bilateral lobbying. The next EU de"marche is likely again to encourage the Government of Pakistan to take steps to address thepersecution of minorities.
	Although we are aware of these deplorable incidents, we have not made specific representations to the Government of Pakistan concerning the killing of Pastor Shamoun Babar and Daniel Emmanuel, nor on the attack on the Apostolic Church in Khahamba. We have not so far received any reports concerning the effect recent attacks on Christian worshippers and buildings have had on Pakistan's Christian community.

People Trafficking

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking in partnership with his EU colleagues to control the trafficking of human beings into the UK.

Kim Howells: The UK is committed to doing all it can to combat human trafficking, which is a crime that involves many source and transit countries.
	Human trafficking will continue to form a key element in our Justice and Home Affairs agenda, particularly during our Presidency of the EU. We are working closely with our EU partners to ensure that The Hague Programme commitment for the Commission and Council to draw up an action plan on trafficking is met in 2005. In 2004 we launched an European Community-funded twinning project with the Netherlands to strengthen the capacity of the Czech Republic to combat trafficking into, within and out of the country. The 2002 EU Framework Decision on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings committed EU member states to establish criminal offences for trafficking.

Samir Kassir

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of the assassination of Samir Kassir in the Lebanon; what his policy is on the extension of the UN inquiry into the death of Rafic Hariri to the case of Mr. Kassir; what assistance the United Kingdom is giving to the inquiry; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: This Government condemns the assassination of Samir Kassir and the injuries caused to a passer by. We also condemn the six bombs that have exploded in and around Beirut since mid-March killing four people and injuring over 50. These terrorist attacks are cowardly and cynical attempts to de-stabilise Lebanon. The Lebanese people have repeatedly demonstrated their support for genuine and peaceful democracy. The UK is committed to helping the people of Lebanon achieve this and welcomes the on-going elections.
	The UK strongly supports the work of the Independent International Independent Investigation Commission. The UK co-sponsored United Nations Security Council Resolution 1595 mandating the Investigation Commission and has nominated a British police officer as a member of the Investigation Commission. The UK judges that it is important for the Commission to remain focused on the murder of Rafic Hariri, rather than spreading its resources more thinly. We look forward to an impartial and effective investigation by the Lebanese police and security forces of the death of Samir Kassir.

Sudan

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press for the United Nations to categorise the situation in Darfur as genocide; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The UK strongly pressed for the International Commission of Inquiry (ICI) report into the situation in Darfur. The ICI found that serious violations of human rights had taken place in Darfur. and that, while there was no evidence to suggest that the Government of Sudan had pursued a policy of genocide, a competent court" would have to decide if certain individuals had done so. To this end, we sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1593, referring the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court—the first such referral by the Security Council. We continue to make clear to the Government of Sudan and the rebels that those responsible must answer for the crimes committed there.
	We understand that following further investigation of the evidence by the ICC, the Prosecutor has decided that there is sufficient scope within his jurisdiction to mount a formal investigation. He has reached this decision independently, and we will await the outcome of the investigation.

Sudan

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will call for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the situation in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: There are currently no plans to hold an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Darfur. The UN Security Council follows the situation in Sudan very closely, and continues to receive monthly reports from the Secretary-General on Darfur. Most recently the Security Council discussed Darfur on 2 June 2005 when the UN Secretary-General briefed the Council on his visit to Sudan, including Darfur, between 27–29 May 2005. The Security Council also discussed the African Union (AU) mission following the 26 May 2005 donors' conference in Addis Ababa, which the Secretary-General co-chaired. The Security Council remains fully engaged on Darfur, and is monitoring the implementation of the recent resolutions on Sudan closely.

Sudan

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last raised the issue of Darfur with the US Secretary of State.

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice last discussed Darfur, and in particular the referral of Darfur to the International Criminal Court, in late March, prior to the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1593.
	Both at ministerial and official level we are in regular contact with the US, and other international partners, on the issue of Darfur, and Sudan as a whole, and are closely co-ordinating our response to the crises.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Sudan about the continuing violence in the Kalua Camp, Nyala, Darfur.

Ian Pearson: Following an outbreak of violent clashes between police and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kalma IDP camp on 20 May, our ambassador in Khartoum visited the camp on 22 May, and raised the incident with the Government of Sudan, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations.
	We remain greatly concerned about the continuing high tensions in the camp. The African Union (AU) are patrolling the camp in an effort to restore confidence between the IDPs and the Government of Sudan police. They are also seized of the need to provide a more permanent presence. We are discussing this with the AU, and are working to support them in expanding their mission in Darfur to over 7,000 personnel, including over 1,500 Civilian Police officers.
	We regularly press the Government of Sudan on the need for it to provide security for its citizens, respect the human rights of the IDPs in the camps, and ensure the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance. We will continue to do so.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the continuing violence in Eastern Sudan.

Ian Pearson: We remain greatly concerned about the continuing high tensions in eastern Sudan, and thoroughly condemn the recent kidnapping of Government of Sudan officials by rebel movements. We have made clear to the Eastern Front that they should release the hostages immediately.
	We are pressing all sides to show restraint and negotiate a political settlement, within the framework of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). We understand that the Government of Sudan are currently in talks with the Northern Democratic Alliance, with a view to bringing them into the political process. To this end, the UK is also looking to fund informal consultations between the Government of Sudan and the Eastern Front.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan concerning the arrests of representatives of Me"decins Sans Frontiers in Khartoum.

Ian Pearson: The UK national Director of Me"decins Sans Frontiers-Holland (MSF-H) and their Nyala co-ordinator were arrested on 30 May in Sudan and charged with spreading false information, causing social unrest, and spying. This followed MSF-H's publication in March of a report on rape in Darfur. The MSF-H representatives are currently released on bail.
	Our embassy had first raised our concerns about hostile media reporting on MSF-H with the Government of Sudan on 29 May. Following the arrests, our Charge" d'affaires met the Government of Sudan on 30 May and 6 June, and maintained regular contact with MSF-H, the Government of Sudan and international partners in between. We also joined the EU and US in making representations to the Government on 1 June. A senior Foreign Office official also raised our concerns with the Sudanese ambassador in London on 1 June. We have continued to make clear to the Government of Sudan that such harassment of NGOs is wholly unacceptable and must stop. We will remain in close contact with MSF-H and international partners on this case.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards negotiations in the UN on the introduction of sanctions in connection with the situation in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: The Government welcomes the recent negotiations in New York that resulted in the Security Council agreeing Security Council resolution 1591 (2005). This strengthened the arms embargo against Sudan and introduced a targeted assets freeze and travel ban against individuals who impede the peace process, constitute a threat to stability in the Darfur region, commit violations of international humanitarian law or human rights law or other atrocities, violate the arms embargo or are responsible for offensive military overflights in and over the Darfur region.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made regarding reports of rape and sexual violence against women in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: We deplore the ongoing use of rape and sexual violence in Darfur. Such attacks are abhorrent and totally unacceptable. We have made, and continue to make clear to the Government of Sudan that more must be done to provide security for the citizens of Darfur, and that perpetrators of such crimes must be brought to justice. Tackling rape and gender based violence has been a key point at the regular sub-Joint Implementation Mechanism meetings between the international community and the Government of Sudan, which is chaired by the UN. At the most recent meeting on 29 May, the international community pressed the Government of Sudan on the need to ensure that those completing medical reports of rape were not themselves considered to be carrying out criminal acts, such as falsifying information or not following 'due process' in obtaining a police report first, and on better judicial processing of rape cases.
	The UK has contributed over £66 million towards the Darfur crisis since September 2003, including £500,000 towards the International Rescue Committee's Darfur programme, and £2.1 million towards Me"decins Sans Frontières' health programme. These both contain components to tackle such gender-based violence. We are also providing more than £20 million towards the African Union (AU) mission to improve security in Darfur. The AU is increasingly co-ordinating its patrols to provide protection for women when they leave Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Where this is happening the number of reported rapes have decreased significantly, and we are encouraging the AU to increase this practice.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with member states of the African Union regarding the treatment of Me"decins Sans Frontières officials in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: We have not held wider discussions with AU member states, except for Sudan which is directly responsible for this appalling behaviour. Following the arrests, our charge" d'affaires met the Government of Sudan on 30 May and 6 June, and maintained regular contact with MSF-H, the Government of Sudan and international partners in between. We joined the EU and US in making representations to the Government on 1 June. A senior Foreign Office official raised our concerns with the Sudanese ambassador in London on 1 June. We have consistently made clear that such mistreatment is wholly unacceptable and that harassment of NGOs must stop. We continue to engage in dialogue with the African Union on the operating conditions for all humanitarian organisations in Sudan.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Sudan regarding the arrest of Me"decins Sans Frontières officials in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew), (UIN 2595), Official Report, 13 June 2005, col.141W.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the capacity of Uganda to host the 2007 meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Commonwealth Secretariat, not the United Kingdom, will assess whether Uganda has the capacity to host the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether entry visas were issued to opposition politicians to attend the London debate on constitutional amendment in Uganda.

Kim Howells: I regret that I cannot provide this information as it is not our practice to disclose details of individual entry clearance cases in a public forum.

Uzbekistan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with the government of Uzbekistan regarding the handling of protests in Eastern Andijan on 13 May 2005;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with the government of Uzbekistan regarding respecting human rights.

Douglas Alexander: I am extremely disturbed by the reports of Uzbek troops firing on demonstrators in Andizhan (Andijan). When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary first heard these reports he urged the Uzbek authorities to allow an independent, international investigation.
	We have asked our Ambassador to Tashkent, Mr.David Moran, to convey these messages to senior figures in the Uzbek Government. We also asked Mr.Moran to urge the authorities for unrestricted access to Andizhan for the international community, including organisations like the UN High Commission for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The UK's proactive stance was instrumental in the authorities' decision to organise a visit to the region on 18 May 2005 by diplomats, members of international organisations and the world's media. Although highly orchestrated by the Uzbek authorities, this visit was an important first step towards securing the necessary transparency into the events of 13–14 May 2005 in Andizhan (Andijan).
	Mr. Moran is also working to ensure that the root causes of discontent are addressed through urgent economic and political reform, as he made clear to Deputy Foreign Minister Nematov on 15 May 2005.
	In the aftermath of Andizhan (Andijan), we are concerned by reports of the arrest and harassment of eyewitnesses, independent journalists and human rights activists. Mr. Moran conveyed this point in a meeting between EU ambassadors and Foreign Minister Ganiev on 1 June 2005. On 25 May 2005 our embassy delivered a note to the Uzbek authorities, registering our concern at the arrest of Saidjahon Zainabuddinov, the head of the 'appeal' human rights NGO.
	We will continue to insist, with our partners in the UN, EU, OSCE and NATO, that the Uzbek Government accept an independent investigation. We shall continue to urge the Uzbek Government to respect their wider international commitments to democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

Western Sahara

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Saharawi people and their representatives following the mass demonstrations of students in ElAyoun.

Kim Howells: We are aware of reports of demonstrations in the Western Sahara and continue to monitor the situation. UK officials hold regular discussions with the parties to the Western Sahara dispute. These focus on ensuring that the UN process leads to a fair and lasting solution to this dispute that provides the people of the Western Sahara with an opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination.

Western Sahara

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Moroccan authorities concerning media access to El Ayoun to cover the recent demonstrations of Saharawi students there.

Kim Howells: We are aware of recent reports alleging that some journalists were denied access to Laayoune (El Ayoun) during the recent Saharawi demonstrations and will continue to monitor the situation. There are currently no plans to discuss media access to Laayoune (El Ayoun) with the Moroccan Government.

Western Sahara

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Arab Maghreb Union to urge them to discuss the Western Sahara issue.

Kim Howells: The Arab Maghreb Union recently postponed the summit planned for May 2005. We have no plans to raise the Western Sahara dispute with the Arab Maghreb Union.

Western Sahara

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Moroccan authorities regarding their recent activities in Western Sahara and reports of major human rights abuses.

Kim Howells: We are aware of reports of recent clashes between pro-Saharawi demonstrators and the Moroccan authorities in Western Sahara and continue to monitor the situation. We currently have no plans to discuss the situation with the Moroccan Government.

Western Sahara

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent activities of the Moroccan authorities in Western Sahara and whether there have been human rights abuses; what his policy is on how the UN should respond; what assessment he has made of whether the role of the UN's mission to Western Sahara should change; what steps he has taken in response to the activities of the Moroccan authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We are aware of reports of recent clashesbetween pro-Saharawi demonstrators and the Moroccan authorities in Western Sahara and continue to monitor the situation. The Government believe UN efforts to find a solution to the dispute should be maintained and will continue to seek a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara dispute that provides the people of the Western Sahara with an opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination.

Zimbabwe

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Zimbabwean Government about the bulldozing of squatter camps.

Ian Pearson: The British ambassador in Harare protested about the brutal crackdown with Vice President Joyce Mujuru and, separately, Didymus Mutasa, Minister of State for National Security, on 2 and 3 June respectively.
	The European Union also issued a statement on 8 June condemning the actions of the authorities and calling on the government of Zimbabwe to cease the callous and arbitrary destruction of property and livelihoods of ordinary Zimbabweans. Once again Mugabe has demonstrated a total lack of respect for the human rights of individuals and for the security and prosperity of the country. The displacement has created a serious internal refugee problem compounding the existing humanitarian crisis.
	Department for International Development funds are being used in provision of immediate assistance to affected households who do not have the capacity to absorb the shock themselves (particularly children and the chronically ill).

Zimbabwe

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what changes have been made to the list of persons banned from travel to the EU from Zimbabwe since the recent elections and changes in the composition of the Government in that country; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on EU sanctions against Zimbabwe following the recent election in that country.

Ian Pearson: We believe that the European Union's current policy towards Zimbabwe, including sanctions against the Mugabe regime, is justified by that regime's failure to address EU concerns, including the abuse of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The flawed elections and the current brutal crackdown on thousands of ordinary Zimbabweans underline the need to maintain pressure on the Government of Zimbabwe.
	We are currently working with our partners to increase the number of those targeted by the EU travel ban and assets freeze list.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the research conducted for his Department in 2002 by Stephen Scott on anti social behaviour.

Hazel Blears: Data and results from the parenting programme run by Dr Stephen Scott as part of the On Track programme in Southwark have been fed into a series of regional and national On Track evaluation reports which have been published by the Home Office. There were no intentions or plans to publish individual reports from the On Track evaluation.

Antisocial Behaviour

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti social behaviour orders were issued in Pembrokeshire in each year between 1998 and 2004.

Hazel Blears: The available information is given in the table.
	
		Number of ASBOs issued at all courts, as reported to the Home Office
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000(38) — 
			 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2000 — 
			 2001 — 
			 2002 — 
			 2003 1 
			 1 January 2004 to 30 September 2004 6 
			 Total 7 
		
	
	(38)Between 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 data were collected on aggregate

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many acceptable behaviour contracts have been made with Leeds residents since October 2003.

Hazel Blears: The number of acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) made is not known as this information is not collected centrally.
	A recent survey carried out by the Home Office and sent to all crime and disorder reduction partnerships estimated that 5,383 ABCs were made between October 2003 and September 2004.

Asylum and Immigration

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to appoint the independent monitor of accommodation centres for asylum seekers.

Tony McNulty: We intend to appoint the monitor in advance of the opening of the first centre, to enable him or her to give consideration to the working methods and processes in the centres, but not so far in advance that there is nothing for him or her to do.

Asylum and Immigration

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria will be used in deciding which migrants applying for refugee status have that status determined at the proposed accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester.

Tony McNulty: Only destitute asylum seekers who would otherwise be supported in dispersal accommodation will be supported in the accommodation centre; more detailed criteria will be established nearer to, but in advance of, the opening date, and will reflect the mix of the asylum intake at that time.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of his Department's employees were engaged (a) part-time and (b) full-time on asylum removals in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The number of employees engaged on the removal of failed asylum seekers is not disaggregated from the overall number of employees within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) and therefore not readily available. Any attempt to calculate the number of employees involved in the removal of failed asylum seekers in each of the last five years would need to take into account a large number of factors and this could be done only at disproportionate cost. However the average number of employees in the UK Immigration Service alone during each of the past four years is as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2001–02 4,725 
			 2002–03 5,742 
			 2003–04 6,768 
			 2004–05 7,239 
		
	
	There are no figures available for 2000–01.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of initial asylum decisions were successfully appealed by the applicant in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: Information on the percentage of successful appeals on refusals of grants of asylum is not available. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.
	Information on estimates of final asylum decisions is published annually. The next publication covering 2004 will be available in August 2005 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time between initial decisions in asylum applications and the hearing of an appeal was in the last period for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Information on the average time between initial decisions in asylum applications and the hearing of an appeal is not available. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case
	records.
	The Home Office and the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) set a jointly owned public service agreement target for 2003–04 that 60 per cent. of substantive asylum applications (excluding withdrawals and third country cases) received from one April 2003 should have a decision, up to and including final appeal at the Immigration Appeal Tribunal, within six months.
	The Home Office and DCA exceeded this target with 64 per cent. of substantive applications received in the period April 2003 to March 2004 having had a final decision, up to and including appeals at the Immigration Appeal Tribunal, within six months.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions and appeals are published quarterly. The next publication covering the second quarter of 2005 will be available in August 2005 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of asylum applications received an initial decision within (a) one month, (b) two months and (c) three months of application in the last period for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: 21 per cent. of applications (excluding withdrawals and third country cases) received in October to December 2004 had initial decisions reached and served within one month (1), 77 per cent. within two months (1) and 83 per cent. within three months (1).
	Information on the timeliness of asylum cases is published in the quarterly asylum statistics on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to increase the rate of removal of failed asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: In February 2005 the Government announced a five-year strategy aimed at increasing the rate of removals of those who have no basis of stay in the United Kingdom. To do this we will:
	expand detention capability and the fast-tracking of asylum claims;
	manage asylum seekers more closely through various means including the use of electronic monitoring;
	place immigration at the heart of our relationship with asylum source countries to secure more returns;
	root out abuse of our legal system with a clampdown on unscrupulous advisers;
	grant refugees temporary leave initially, while monitoring and reviewing the situation in their home countries;
	encourage more voluntary returns.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applicants have had their asylum application refused but have not been removed because of successful Human Rights Act 1998 applications in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The requested information is not available. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what methods are used by his Department to assess the age of young asylum seekers.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) assesses the age of young asylum seekers using available credible documentary evidence. Failing this IND will assess age based on the claimant's appearance and demeanour, as well as other factors relevant such as medical evidence. IND will usually accept a full Social Service Department age assessments as proof of age.

Asylum and Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to stop illegal immigration into the UK.

Tony McNulty: We have already made significant improvements to border controls by expanding our juxtaposed controls, deploying new detection technology and increasing our airline liaison network overseas. This has had a significant impact both on deterring illegal immigration and reducing asylum intake.
	We are also taking new measures to further improve border controls, including a further expansion of the airline liaison network, a more comprehensive intelligence debriefing system, and new mobile search teams. All visa applicants will be fingerprinted by 2008, and pre-boarding checks of all persons entering and leaving the UK will be introduced by 2010.

Asylum and Immigration

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications were received for indefinite leave to remain in the UK in each year from 1997.

Tony McNulty: Data on applications for indefinite leave to remain is only available from March 2002. The total number of applications per financial year since April 2002 is as follows:
	
		
			 April to March ILR applications 
		
		
			 2002–03 106,880 
			 2003–04 111,640 
			 2004–05 92,100 
		
	
	This data has been rounded to the nearest 10.

Biometric Passports

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of recording, matching and storing face, fingerprint and iris biometric information for biometric passports; and what methodology he used in making this estimate.

Tony McNulty: The UK Passport service is planning to commence the introduction of the new design passport with a single facial biometric in this financial year in line with international standards. The average unit costs for first generation biometric passports with a facial biometric chip were published in the UK Passport Service Corporate and Business Plans 2005–2010. The average unit cost per passport in 2006–07 is estimated to be £67.93.The Regulatory Impact Assessment published along side the Identity Cards Bill on 25 May 2005 contains the latest cost estimates for the next generation of biometric passports and ID Cards, incorporating iris and fingerprints as well as the facial biometric. The current best estimate for the total average annual running costs for issuing second generation biometric passports and ID Cards to UK nationals from 2008, is estimated at £584 million. Around 70 per cent. of these costs would be incurred in issuing second generation biometric passports alone. The costs were calculated in accordance with Government accounting guidelines and Office of Government Commerce best practice.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to merge the Cambridgeshire Constabulary with another force; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 9 June 2005
	At the Association of Chief Police Officers' conference on 19 May, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary made it clear that he did not believe that the current structure of 43 forces was the most efficient and effective arrangement for organising policing in England and Wales. He also made clear that he had no blueprint for force amalgamations, but that the initiative for such amalgamations should ideally be driven locally. To inform the way forward, my right hon. Friend has commissioned Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to examine the issue of force structures. As well as looking at the case for structural changes, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary will also be examining the case for greater collaboration and co-operation between forces.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government has completed legally-binding agreements for the supply of goods and services in respect of (a) identity cards and (b) the National Identity Register.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 9 June 2005
	The Government has not completed any legally binding agreements for the supply of goods and services in respect of either the Identity Cards themselves or the National Identity Register. Clause 42 of the Identity Cards Bill authorises the expenses of the Secretary of State in connection with the carrying out of his functions under this Act, to be paid out of money provided by Parliament. Consequently the Secretary of State cannot enter into such legally binding agreements until the Bill has completed the parliamentary process and has received Royal Assent.

Children (School Hours Arrests)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many excluded children were arrested during school hours in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many children subject to antisocial behaviourorders had been permanently excluded from school.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available centrally. Information on arrests collected centrally is based on persons arrested for notifiable" offences by age, sex and ethnicity and does not identify the circumstances of individuals arrested.
	Information on antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) collected and collated by the Home Office for statistical purposes identifies the age and sex of ASBO recipients but does not identify their personal circumstances.

Correspondence

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 28 February from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford regarding Mrs. L. Broderick and the petition that was enclosed.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 26 May 2005
	There is no record of the hon. Member's letter having been received in the Home Office. He has now sent a copy, and I will respond shortly. The petition was received and has been noted.

Court Orders

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) parenting contracts, (b) parenting orders, (c) acceptable behaviour contracts and (d) antisocial behaviour orders were issued in each local authority area in County Durham in (i) 2003 and (ii) 2004.

Hazel Blears: The Youth Justice Board collects the numbers of parenting contracts, parenting orders and other voluntary parenting interventions by youth offending team ("YOT") area rather than local authority area. The Durham YOT area covers County Durham.
	The statutory powers in the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 for YOTs to enter into parenting contracts commenced on 27 February 2004.18 parenting contracts were entered into in the Durham YOT area between 1 April and 31 December 2004. YOTs can intervene with parents on a voluntary basis without a parenting contract. There were 20 such interventions in the area in 2003 and 30 in 2004.
	The number of parenting orders in the Durham YOT area is shown in Table one. These all relate to crime or antisocial behaviour by the child. No parenting orders were made in the area during 2003 and 2004 in respect of offences under the Education Act 1996 or on application by the education authority under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.
	The number of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs") made in the Wessex area is not known as this information is not collected centrally.
	A recent survey carried out by the Home Office and sent to all Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships estimated that 5383 ABCs were made between October 2003 and September 2004.
	The Home Office collects the number of antisocial behaviour orders by local authority area and the latest available information is provided in Table two.
	
		Table 1: Parenting orders in Durham YOT area
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2003 4 
			 2004 22 
		
	
	
		Table 2: The number of antisocial behaviour orders issued, as reported to the Home Office, by all courts and where restrictions are imposed within local authority areas in Durham, by age and by period up to 30 September 2004
		
			  2003 1 January to 30 September 2004 
			 Area Age 10–17 Age 18+ Total all ages Age 10–17 Age 18+ Total all ages 
		
		
			 County Durham 6 6 12 6 10 16 
			 of which:   
			 Chester-le-Street district council — — — — 3 3 
			 Derwentside district council 1 4 5 1 6 7 
			 Durham city council 2 1 3 3 — 3 
			 Easington district council 3 1 4 2 — 2 
			 Sedgefield borough council — — — — 1 1 
			 Teesdale district council — — — — — — 
			 Wear Valley district council — — — — — —

Court Orders

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) parenting contracts, (b) parenting orders, (c) other voluntary parenting interventions, (d) acceptable behaviour contracts and (e) antisocial behaviour orders were issued in (i) each local authority area in Hampshire, (ii) Portsmouth and (iii) Southampton in (A) 2003 and (B) 2004.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 6 June 2005
	The Youth Justice Board collects the numbers of parenting contracts, parenting orders and other voluntary parenting interventions by youth offending team (YOT) area rather than local authority area. Wessex YOT includes Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton. The number of parenting orders shown in Table 1 also includes orders made in respect of offences under the Education Act 1996 or, since commencement of the powers in the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 on application by the education authority, which are described as Educational".
	The statutory powers in the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 for YOTs to enter into parenting contracts commenced on 27 February 2004. No such contracts were entered into by YOTs in the Wessex YOT area.
	The number of other voluntary parenting interventions made in the area is shown in table 2.The number of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs") made is not known as this information is not collected centrally.
	A recent survey carried out by the Home Office and sent to all Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships estimated that 5,383 ABCs were made between October 2003 and September 2004.
	The Home Office collects the number of antisocial behaviour orders by local authority area and the latest available information is provided in table 3.
	
		Table 1: Parenting orders in Wessex YOT area
		
			  2003 2004 
		
		
			 YOTs 56 99 
			 Educational 11 15 
			 Total 67 114 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Other voluntary parenting interventions by YOT in Wessex area
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2003 60 
			 2004 177 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Number of antisocial behaviour orders issued, as reported to the Home Office, by all courts and where restrictions are imposed within local authority areas, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, by age and by period up to 30 September 2004
		
			  2003 1 January 2004 to 30 September 2004 
			  Age 
			 Area 10–17 18+ Not known Total all ages 10–17 18+ Total all ages 
		
		
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 15 11 3 29 25 22 47 
			 Of which:
			 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council — — — — 1 3 4 
			 Fareham Borough Council — — — — 1 — 1 
			 Gosport Borough Council — — — — 1 1 2 
			 Havant Borough Council 5 1 — 6 2 2 4 
			 Isle of Wight Council 1 — 3 4 3 1 4 
			 New Forest District Council 1 — — 1 — — — 
			 Portsmouth City Council 2 10 — 12 8 9 17 
			 Rushmoor Borough Council 1 — — 1 — 1 1 
			 Southampton Council 5 — — 5 6 4 10 
			 Test Valley Borough Council — — — — 3 — 3 
			 Winchester City Council — — — — — 1 1

Crime (Rural Areas)

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on measures to tackle (a) crime and (b) the fear of crime in rural areas.

Hazel Blears: Effective and responsive policing at neighbourhood level as well as robust partnership working are both essential parts of our strategy to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour and to sustain the confidence and trust of the public in all parts of the country.
	In accordance with this, we are committed to working with the police and other partners at national and local level so that, by 2008 every area in England and Wales, rural as well as urban, will benefit from visible and responsive neighbourhood policing teams. The dedicated teams will be led by police officers and involve special constables, community support officers, volunteers and neighbourhood wardens among others.
	In addition, the Rural Policing Fund was introduced part way through 2000–01, when £15 million was made available to enhance the policing service in rural areas at no cost to the metropolitan forces. The fund is currently £30 million per annum benefiting 31 forces. This fund enables rural forces to focus on local crime hot-spots and provide a physical presence to deter criminals and troublemakers.
	In terms of fear of crime, whilst it is statistically lower in rural areas, the impact of crime can be greater in small communities, particularly among older people. Comparative statistics between older residents still however produce lower fear of crime rates in rural areas than urban. Work to reduce further the fear of crime is a key component of the Home Office's public service agreement which looks to increase confidence in the Criminal Justice System and reduce antisocial behaviour and the fear of crime.

Crime and Policing (Hammersmith and Fulham)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what average length of time a police officer in Hammersmith and Fulham was occupied following an arrest before resuming their patrol in the last period for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis is responsible for the day to day operational management of the force. I will ensure that he receives a copy of the question and replies directly to the hon. Gentleman's concerns.

Criminal Justice Act

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what mechanisms he plans to monitor the implementation of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

Fiona Mactaggart: Yes. The regularly published statistics on sentencing, probation and prison will be a source of monitoring information on how the new sentencing framework contained in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 is used.

Criminal Justice Act

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions will be placed on the number of additional conditions that the courts can place on community orders under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

Fiona Mactaggart: The community order introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 provides sentencers with a new flexible disposal that can be tailored. A court making a community order may impose one or more of 12 statutory requirements, but the Act requires that these must be the most suitable for the offender; that multiple requirements be compatible with each other, and that the restrictions they impose on the offender's liberty must be commensurate with the seriousness of the offence.

Death Certification

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Department has to change arrangements relating to coroners and death certification.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government is committed to reforming the arrangements relating to coroners and death certification and I shall be looking at the best way of taking this forward, building on the work undertaken by the Home Office and taking into account the Reports of the Fundamental Review of the Coroner Service and the Shipman Inquiry.

Drugs (Policy Unit Report)

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to implement the recommendations of the policy unit's report on drugs; and if he will publish the report.

Paul Goggins: There are no plans to publish the confidential policy advice contained in the strategy unit report on drugs. The Government have a comprehensive and balanced drug strategy which we launched in 1998 and updated in 2002. It sets out the range of policies and interventions to reduce the harm caused by illegal drugs by 2008. We have achieved a great deal across the strategy. Class A drug use among young people is stable. Where there was once virtually no drug treatment, 154,000 people are now being helped and waiting times are at their lowest ever—down 75 per cent. since December 2001. Where previously little attempt was made to break the link between drugs and crime, there is now the Drug Interventions Programme doing just that. Crime is falling, and falling faster in areas operating the programme, with over 1,950 drug-misusing offenders entering treatment in April 2005— the highest number since the programme began. And where in the past communities felt helpless against the problems of drugs there is now a coordinated approach backed by powers such as the ability to close crack houses quickly and seal them for up to six months.

Drunk and Disorderly Convictions

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions were made for the offence of being drunk and disorderly in England and Wales in each year between 1984 and 2004.

Hazel Blears: The number of offenders convicted of being drunk and disorderly in England and Wales 1984 to 2003 is contained in the table.
	Statistics on court proceedings for 2004 will be published in the autumn.
	
		Number of offenders found guilty of the offence of being drunk and disorderly—England and Wales 1984 to 2003(39)
		
			 Offence: Being guilty while drunk of disorderly behaviour Statute: Criminal Justice Act 1967 S.91 Found guilty 
		
		
			 1984 39,965 
			 1985 37,785 
			 1986 31,135 
			 1987 35,557 
			 1988 38,514 
			 1989 36,874 
			 1990 32,276 
			 1991 24,970 
			 1992 20,290 
			 1993 16,170 
			 1994 17,102 
			 1995 16,922 
			 1996 21,218 
			 1997 24,940 
			 1998 26,391 
			 1999 24,872 
			 2000 23,899 
			 2001 23,252 
			 2002 24,136 
			 2003 25,165 
		
	
	(39)These data are on the principal offence basis.

EU Legislation

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what EU legislation was implemented by (a) the Data Protection Act 1998, (b) the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, (c) the Disability Discrimination (Providers of Services) (Adjustments from 1999 of Premises) Regulations 2001, (d) the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and (e) the Money Laundering Regulations 2003.

Hazel Blears: The Data Protection Act 1988 implements the 1995 European Data Protection Directive (Directive 95/46/EC).The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 does not implement any specific EU legislation. The Disability Discrimination (Providers of Services)(Adjustment of Premises) Regulations 2001, were introduced to implement provisions of domestic legislation under the Disability Discrimination Act, and not to meet any EU requirements. The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Business in the Regulated Sector and Supervisory Authorities Order 2003 No. 3074) (SI 3074/2004), took into account the 2nd EC Money Laundering Directive (Directive 2001/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 91/308/EEC on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering). The Money Laundering Regulations 2003 completed the implementation in the UK of the 2nd EC Money Laundering Directive (Directive 2001/97/EC).

Gun Crime (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many gun-related crimes there were in (a) Brent East and (b) each London borough in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available centrally because statistics on offences involving firearms are only collected at police force area level.

Identity Cards

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the HomeDepartment if he will make a statement on the powers of the National Identity Cards Scheme Commissioner.

Tony McNulty: The National Identity Scheme Commissioner's powers are set out in clause 24 of the Identity Cards Bill. The Commissioner will be responsible for overseeing the operation of the Act and any subordinate legislation. The Commissioner will also oversee the arrangements put in place for the purposes of fulfilling functions granted to the Secretary of State or designated documents authorities under the Act and the arrangements made by those people authorised to receive information from the register (for example how the information is used, what it is used for, how is it recorded), except in the cases which would fall within the jurisdiction of the Intelligence Services Commissioner as set out in clause 26. The Commissioner will also be able to oversee the uses to which identity cards are being put.
	The Commissioner will report to the Secretary of State as soon as practicable after the end of each calendar year about the carrying out of the Commissioner's functions. The Commissioner may also at any other time make such report to the Secretary of State as he thinks fit. The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a copy of every report made to him by the Commissioner. This is set out in clause 25 of the Identity Cards Bill.
	There is nothing in the Bill to constrain the National Identity Scheme Commissioner from working with any other Commissioner (for example the Information Commissioner or the Commission for Racial Equality) in order to oversee the National Identity Cards Scheme.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of providing online verification to validate identity cards and other identity inquiries from user organisations; and what methodology was used to calculate the cost.

Tony McNulty: The regulatory impact assessment published along side the Identity Cards Bill on 25 May 2005 contains the latest cost estimates. The current best estimate for the total average annual running costs for issuing passports and ID cards to UK nationals is estimated at £584 million. The cost of providing on-line verification of ID cards is included within this figure, however the costs have not been disaggregated. The costs were calculated in accordance with Government accounting guidelines and Office of Government Commerce best practice.

Identity Cards

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the potential impact the introduction of the identity card scheme may have on civil liberties; and what measures he is taking to protect confidential information.

Tony McNulty: The ID card scheme is being designed to help support civil liberty and human rights by fostering a more inclusive society and allowing people to feel part of the community by easily demonstrating their identity and entitlement to reside in the UK, whatever their heritage. There will be very strong controls in place, including full auditing of all on-line checks to deter abuse of the scheme and ensure that any complaints can be fully investigated. The Register will be designed in such a way to ensure that data is stored in a highly secure manner. In addition, the design of the scheme will ensure compliance with legislation such as, among others, the Data Protection Act 1998, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 & 2005, the Race Relations Act 1976 & 2004 and the Gender Recognition Act 2004. The Government published their response to the Joint Committee on Human Rights interim report on 8 February 2005 which explains in detail why the scheme is in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights said in a report published on 8 June 2005,
	The issuing of some form of identifying document to all residents does not seem to me to be objectionable in principle, nor does the right to private life guaranteed by the Article eight of the Convention preclude it. I carry an identity card myself and find it more useful than annoying.
	The information which may be recorded on the National Identity Register is strictly limited by Schedule one of the Identity Cards Bill, and only Parliament would be able to change the information to be held. Unauthorised disclosure or modification of information held on the Register is subject to a criminal offence under clauses 29 & 31 of the Bill. The vast majority of checks on the Register will be made with the consent of the individual under clause 14 of the Identity Cards Bill. There are provisions for accrediting authorised users of the verification service. Even with an individual's consent, this clause only allows a limited amount of information from the Register, for example name, address, date of birth, residential status and status of the card, to be verified. Compulsion to carry the card is strictly prohibited in the Bill and clause 18 precludes any organisation from requiring the production of an ID card as sole proof of identity before the move to compulsion (so called compulsion by the 'back door'). Clause 15 only allows regulations to be made establishing a requirement to make use of the ID cards scheme a condition of provision of public services which have to be provided free of charge or social security payments should the scheme become compulsory. For all types of public services identity checks, rules need to be approved by Parliament on a case by case basis. Circumstances where information can be provided without consent are strictly regulated, as outlined in Clauses 19–23 of the Bill. Organisations which can be provided with information are listed on the face of the Bill and any changes will require Parliament's approval. There will be independent oversight of the ID cards scheme—including how the scheme is used—by the National Identity Scheme Commissioner set up by the Bill and by existing Commissioners such as the Information Commissioner and the Intelligence Services Commissioner.

Identity Cards

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which external consultants his Department received advice on the biometric technology to be used for the proposed identity cards.

Tony McNulty: Final decisions on the biometric technology which may be used for the proposed identity cards scheme have yet to be taken. Biometrics technology is advancing all the time and the Identity Cards Programme team are taking advice from a number of organisations who have been developing knowledge in the field. These include the United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS), Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), Communications-Electronic Security Group (CESG), Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) and the National Physical Laboratory. Additionally, further advice has been received from biometric technology advisors at San Jose University and PA Consulting Group.

Identity Cards

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the merits of using DNA identifiers in the proposed identity cards; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Identity Cards Scheme is not proposing to use DNA as one of the biometric identifiers. Clause 43 of the Identity Cards Bill defines a biometric as data about a person's external characteristics, eg facial image, iris pattern or fingerprints. DNA is not included in the list of information at schedule one of the Identity Cards Bill that may be held on the National Identity Register and there is no power under clause five of the Bill (applications relating to entries in the register) for the Secretary of State to require a person to provide a DNA sample.

Identity Cards

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the classes of (a) public officials and (b) others who will have sufficient access to the National Identity Register under the provisions of the Identity Cards Bill to be able to retrieve an individual's record on the basis of a fingerprint or an iris scan.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 9 June 2005
	Information held on the Register will be used by public and private sector organisations with the consent of the individual for verification purposes. Clause 14 of the Identity Cards Bill limits the information that could be provided with consent, and under these provisions the whole of an individual's record could not be obtained.
	An accreditation scheme will be established, so that only those private sector organisations that have been approved will be able to make checks on the National Identity Register on the validity of cards or the registered details.
	There are also the required identity checks provision in Clauses 15–19 of the Identity Cards Bill. Parliament will need to agree rules on a service by service basis including whether biometric information would form part of the identity check.
	Clauses 19–23 of the Identity Cards Bill set out how the information may be provided without the consent of the individual. The organizations to whom this information may be provided are listed on the face of the Bill, namely: the Security and Intelligence Agencies, the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Police . Parliament must agree the rules under which such information would be provided without consent. The whole of a person's record may be provided to the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service, GCHQ and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency provided it is for the purpose of the carrying out of their functions. The Police, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and Government Departments, including Northern Ireland Departments which have been specifically approved by Parliament, may only be provided with the whole of an individual's record for purposes connected with the prevention or detection of serious crime. Any other public authorities approved by Parliament to be provided with information without consent, cannot be provided with the whole of a person's record under the provisions of Clause 22 of the Bill.
	The Bill ensures that provision of information without consent will be properly regulated and subject to independent oversight.
	Specified staff working on the administration of the scheme would have access to individual records but only as required by their duties, and criminal sanctions will apply to any person who discloses information without lawful authority. The offence is punishable by up to two years imprisonment. This is set out in Clause 29 of the Bill.

Identity Cards

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to conduct a computerised model for the national identity card system.

Tony McNulty: Research is currently under way which will help to model various parts of the scheme, for example, take-up rates for registering with the scheme. Final decisions on the technical design of the scheme have yet to be taken. The scheme will be subject to rigorous testing but it is not possible to give specific detail of plans until the procurement phase is complete.

Independent Police Complaints Commission

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints under active investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission are (a) less than one-year-old, (b) one to three years old, (c) three to five years old and (d) over five years old; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is responsible for the managements of the police complaints system. I will ensure that the Chairman receives a copy of the question and replies to you directly. Copies of the letter containing the IPCC's response will be placed in the House Libraries.

Inquests

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what age a coroner who was appointed in 1972 must retire.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply
	There is no retirement age for coroners.

Inquests

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the average time has been between deaths and inquests in the jurisdiction of the Teesside Coroner during the last 12 months;
	(2)  what the number of unfinished cases currently in the jurisdiction of the Teesside Coroner is; and how many are over six months old;
	(3)  what the backlog of cases requiring inquests in the jurisdiction of the Teesside Coroner is; and how many are over six months old;
	(4)  what the average time has been between deaths and inquests in the coroners' jurisdictions (a) in the north-east and (b) nationally during the last 12 months.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	I will write to my hon. and learned Friend as soon as the information is available.

Kamel Bourgass

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations his Department has conducted into the role of Mr. Mohammed Meguerba in the alleged ricin case of Kamel Bourgass and his associates; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office is not an investigative authority. It is the duty of the police to investigate criminal matters and all enquiries involving those persons alleged to have been involved in the case referred to would have been carried out by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Knife Crime

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether statistics are kept by police forces for the number of offences of violence against the person committed involving the use of knives.

Hazel Blears: Details of offences of violence against the person involving knives are generally collected by forces on the individual crime records. The ease with which statistics can be generated will vary depending on individual force computer systems.
	Information on offences specifically involving knives is not collected centrally.

Looked-after Children

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of children subject to (a) antisocial behaviour orders and (b) acceptable behaviour contracts were looked-after children.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available centrally. Information on antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) collected and collated by the Home Office for statistical purposes does not identify the personal circumstances of ASBO recipients. Information on acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) is not collected centrally. ABCs are voluntary agreements with no statutory basis. They are therefore unsuitable for central data collection.

Mental Health

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate the total number of people who are dangerous by virtue of severe personality disorder (DSPD) in England; and what her estimate is of the number of people who are DSPD in England but cannot be detained under sections 2, 3 or 4 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

Fiona Mactaggart: The most recent estimates indicate that the number of people within the prison population in England and Wales who are likely to meet the Dangerous Severe Personality Disorder (DSPD) criteria is 2,300–2,500. This estimate is based on Prison Service data and on experience with referrals and admissions to the DSPD programme.
	We do not have sufficiently robust information to provide a reliable estimate of the numbers of individuals within the community who would be likely to meet the criteria.
	At present there also is insufficient information available to provide an indication of the number of people who are DSPD and who cannot be detained under sections two, three or four of the Mental Health Act 1983.
	Estimates will be kept under review as further information from the DSPD programme becomes available.

Metropolitan Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding per head of population the Metropolitan Police Service received in each year since 1995 from (a) central funds and (b) precept; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information is set out in the table.
	Government funding for police authorities is chiefly allocated using a funding formula that distributes resources on the basis of relative policing need. The formula is currently being reviewed to ensure it remains up to date. Funding is not, and never has been, distributed on a per capita basis.
	
		£
		
			  Government grant funding(40) per head of population(41) Precept(42) per head of population(41) 
		
		
			 1995–96 209.48 20.72 
			 1996–97 209.63 21.46 
			 1997–98 211.79 24.26 
			 1998–99 212.42 29.38 
			 1999–2000 213.96 31.69 
			 2000–01 227.70 34.56 
			 2001–02 243.70 44.59 
			 2002–03 261.46 49.04 
			 2003–04 282.32 61.80 
			 2004–05 286.29 70.95 
			 2005–06(43) 300.33 75.95 
		
	
	(40)Government funding includes general grant (Home Office police grant, ODPM Revenue Support Grant, National Non Domestic Rates and SSA Reduction Grant). It also includes specific grants: Crime Fighting Fund, Basic Command Unit funding, community support officer funding (including, for 2004–05 and 2005–06, round one of the Neighbourhood Policing Fund), Airwave, DNA Expansion Programme, Counter Terrorism funding, Street Crime Initiative, Special Priority Payments and capital grants.
	The Home Office also funds free travel for MPS officers and 75 per cent. of the cost of the London allowance for all qualifying officers. .These figures are not included within the totals.
	(41)Source for resident population figures: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as used in the calculation of the police funding settlements.
	(42)Source for precept information: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
	(43)Estimates for 2005–06.

Metropolitan Police

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the rate of Metropolitan Police officer abstractions was from each London borough for (a) counter-terrorism, (b) special operations and (c) public order event policing work in each of the last 12 months; what the average rate was for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Minicabs

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many attacks were committed by the drivers of unlicensed minicabs in each year since 1997.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Mobile Telephone Thefts (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many thefts of mobile telephones there were in each London borough in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Motoring Offences (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted for motoring offences in each of the last five years in (a) Brent East and (b) each London borough.

Paul Goggins: The available information is contained in the table and gives the number of offenders found guilty for motoring offences by magistrates courts/London borough, 1999 to 2003. Statistics on court proceedings for 2004 will be published in the autumn.
	
		Number(44) of offenders found guilty of motoring offences(45) by police force area and magistrates courts/London borough 1999 to 2003
		
			 Magistrates courts/borough 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Inner London magistrates courts 
			 City of London Police  
			 Guildhall Justice Rooms 4,154 6,738 7,318 5,258 4,944 
			   
			 Metropolitan police  
			 Bow Street 1,136 743 641 759 953 
			 Camberwell Green/Tower Bridge 4,416 3,214 3,322 3,438 4,003 
			 Greenwich and Woolwich 4,137 3,148 3,487 4,698 5,152 
			 Highbury Corner 2,712 1,841 1,812 1,917 2,364 
			 Horseferry Road 1,891 1,506 1,389 1,775 1,710 
			 Marylebone 5,259 4,312 5,877 7,302 6,127 
			 South Western 1,994 2,434 3,196 3,222 3,536 
			 Thames 3,185 2,542 2,015 2,233 2,902 
			 West London 1,737 1,789 1,881 1,898 2,004 
			 Inner London Juvenile Courts(46) 1 2 n/a n/a n/a 
			   
			 Outer London boroughs  
			 Metropolitan police  
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,176 1,342 1,645 1,423 1,699 
			 Barnet 3,077 3,488 2,900 2,897 3,086 
			 Bexley 915 962 893 1,077 961 
			 Brent 2,988 2,648 2,430 2,315 3,766 
			 Bromley 1,392 1,260 1,192 1,546 1,387 
			 Croydon 2,333 2,353 2,153 1,705 1,658 
			 Ealing 2,421 1,921 1,548 2,202 2,296 
			 Enfield 1,804 1,725 1,742 1,727 1,632 
			 Haringey 1,851 1,629 1,899 2,510 3,170 
			 Harrow 1,368 1,124 1,003 1,156 1,102 
			 Havering 1,145 1,087 1,045 1,167 1,446 
			 Hillingdon 2,128 2,314 2,135 2,753 2,683 
			 Hounslow 2,111 2,037 2,069 1,454 507 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 1,031 1,335 1,595 1,465 957 
			 Merton 1,149 1,419 1,378 1,312 1,674 
			 Newham 2,059 1,835 1,771 1,704 1,924 
			 Redbridge 1,402 1,580 1,397 1,429 1,581 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1,058 1,015 1,022 1,066 1,138 
			 Sutton 770 866 916 909 964 
			 Waltham Forest 1,473 1,256 1,440 1,177 1,087 
			   
			 Total Metropolitan police 60,119 54,727 55,793 60,236 63,469 
			 Total Greater London 64,273 61,465 63,111 65,494 68,413 
		
	
	n/a=not applicable.
	(44)These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(45)Includes indictable and summary motoring offences.
	(46)Cases included with adult courts from 2001.

National Identity Register

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on how the information stored in the National Identity Register will be used.

Tony McNulty: The information that may be held on the National Identity Register is strictly limited by the Bill. This is listed in schedule one of the Bill and includes personal information such as name address date and place of birth. Only Parliament would be able to change the information which could be held by the scheme. The purposes for which the register is established and maintained are confined to the statutory purposes which are clearly set out in clause one of the Bill.
	Information held on the register will be used by public and private sector organisations with the consent of the individual for verification purposes. Clause 14 of the Identity Cards Bill limits the information that could be provided with consent, and under these provisions the whole of an individual's record could not be obtained.
	An accreditation scheme will be established, so that only those private sector organisations that have been approved will be able to make checks on the National Identity Register on the validity of cards or the registered details.
	There are also the required identity checks provision in clauses 15–19 of the Identity Cards Bill. Parliament will need to agree rules on a service by service basis including whether biometric information would form part of the identity check.
	Clauses 19–23 of the Identity Cards Bill set out the how information may be provided without the consent of the individual. The organisations to whom this information may be provided are listed on the face of the Bill, namely: the Security and Intelligence Agencies, the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the police. Parliament must agree the rules under which such information would be provided without consent. The whole of a person's record may be provided to the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service, GCHQ and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency provided it is for the purpose of the carrying out of their functions. The police, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and Government Departments, including Northern Ireland Departments which have been specifically approved by Parliament, may only be provided with the whole of an individual's record for purposes connected with the prevention or detection of serious crime. Any other public authorities approved by Parliament to be provided with information without consent, may be provided with such information for purposes connected with the carrying out of any prescribed functions of that department, or of a Minister in charge of it. These public authorities cannot be provided with the whole of a person's record, as under the provisions of clause 22, they cannot be provided with information listed in paragraph nine, schedule one of the Bill.
	The Bill ensures that provision of information without consent will be properly regulated and subject to independent oversight.

National Identity Register

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost will be for individuals who need to amend their details on the National Identity Register.

Tony McNulty: The Identity Cards Bill provides powers to the Secretary of State to set fees in respect of functions that are carried out under this Act. This is outlined in clause 37 of the Bill. However no decisions have been taken on the fee structure and Parliament will have the final say on the regulations to impose fees, as set out in clause 37(4) of the Bill.

Nazi War Criminals

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the letter from the then Immigration Minister of 8 February to the hon. Member for Hendon, on how many alleged Nazi war criminals who may be living in the UK his Department holds personal information; if he will pass the information to the Metropolitan police anti-terrorism branch; whether the information held includes information on any of those individuals named in the list communicated to him by the hon. Member for Hendon; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Personal information held by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate about alleged Nazi war criminals who may be living in the United Kingdom is already available for inspection by the Metropolitan police in connection with their investigations. Since the passage of the War Crimes Act 1991, a large number of personal files have been examined by the police in connection with investigation of possible war crimes committed during the Second World War. I understand my right hon. Friend passed a list of alleged Nazi war criminals to the Metropolitan police earlier this year. That list is currently under consideration by the Metropolitan police who are checking it against material already in the possession of their Crimes against Humanity Unit and liaising with other Government Departments including the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to establish the best way forward. The Metropolitan police will write to my hon. Friend to inform him of their conclusions once this process is complete.

Passports

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that people who have resided in Northern Ireland for a certain length of time, but were born in the Irish Republic, can obtain a British passport at the same cost as those who were born in Northern Ireland.

Tony McNulty: The standard fee of £42.00 for adults, or £25.00 for children, is payable for all passports issued to British nationals who are resident in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the time of the application.

Police

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of best value legislation on the administrative burden faced by police forces.

Hazel Blears: Best Value legislation was introduced in 1999 by virtue of Section 1(1 )(d) of the Local Government Act 1999. The legislation put a statutory responsibility upon police authorities to achieve continuous improvement through application of the Best Value approach, carrying out structured Best Value Reviews (BVRs) of all aspects of police service delivery. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has conducted a significant number of inspections of BVRs each year since the introduction of Best Value. All HMIC Inspection reports and recommendations to police forces and authorities have been published on the HMIC website. A report summarising the work carried out and identified good practice has been submitted to the Police Minister on an annual basis. To the best of HMIC's knowledge, there has not been a comprehensive evaluation of the overall impact of Best Value legislation within policing therefore it is difficult to fully quantify the direct benefits to the Police Service or whether the legislation has significantly improved or increased the bureaucratic burden on police forces and police authorities. HMIC has an expectation forces and police authorities should be proactive in securing continuous improvement giving due regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Best Value is one of the many tools that is considered within this process and HMIC has worked with the Service to ensure that, wherever possible, the full benefits of the approach are realised while avoiding the potential downside of excessive bureaucracy.

Police

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which London boroughs' police community consultative groups have had their funding withdrawn in each year since 2000

Hazel Blears: The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis is responsible for the operational management of, and allocation of funding by, the force. I will ensure that he receives a copy of the question and replies to you directly in response to your concerns.

Police

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list local authorities in England which have provided funds to police authorities for the purchase of additional police community support officers (PCSOs); how many PCSOs have been provided under such purchasing agreements; and what funding stream was used by each local authority to pay for the additional PCSOs.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 9 June 2005
	This information is not collected centrally. Community support officers (CSOs) are employed by police authorities. At the end of March 2005, there are over 6,300 CSOs in post. Of these 4,367 posts are supported by some degree of Home Office funding. The Neighbourhood Policing Fund will assist forces to increase the number of CSOs to 24,000 by 2008.

Police

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the courts in which completed proceedings against police officers from Essex have taken place in each year since 2000.

Hazel Blears: The Chief Constable of the Essex police force is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the force. I will ensure that he receives a copy of the question and replies to you directly in response to your concerns.

Police

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths in police custody have occurred in each police authority in each year since 1990; and in how many cases the person who died was considered to be suffering from a mental illness.

Hazel Blears: An annual published breakdown by force area of those who have died during or following contact with the police for each of the last five years, is attached at annex A. Prior to 1997, the Home Office did not collect the statistics by force area. The breakdown is not structured to provide specific information on those with mental health problems. However, since 1997 there have been some deaths of those detained by the police under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983, and these figures are listed separately in the tables at annex A. Mental health problems may be a factor in other deaths or—particularly those that are recorded under category three (deaths in or following police custody).

Police

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  whether he has completed his assessment of the McFarland Report on the performance and structure of the Police Information Technology Organisation; and when he intends to make a statement;
	(2)  whether he plans to publish a summary of the McFarland Report on the performance and structure of the Police Information Technology Organisation.

Hazel Blears: The Review's report has been completed and is still under consideration by Ministers. Once Ministers have considered the content of the report, the report will be published and copies of the final report will then be available in the Libraries of both Houses. A Ministerial statement will be made to Parliament in due course.

Police

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Government's plans are for the modernisation of the police service; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Government's plans for a modernised police service—which is more responsive, visible, accessible and accountable to local communities—were set out in the November 2004 White Paper 'Building Communities, Beating Crime'. Key elements of the reform programme include: ensuring every community in England and Wales benefits from neighbourhood policing by 2008; building a stronger customer service culture within the service; strengthened accountability arrangements and a greater role for local people in determining how their communities are policed; further reductions in bureaucracy; ensuring greater national consistency on issues such as IT; consideration of whether we have the right policing structures to meet present and future challenges; and further modernisation of the workforce to enable the service to deliver these changes.

Police

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police stations there were in London in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: The Commissioners of Police of the metropolis and for the City of London are responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the police forces in London. I will ensure they receive a copy of the question and reply directly to you in response to your concerns.

Police

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the policing targets instructing officers to make four arrests per month for specified offences or face the prospect of disciplinary action.

Hazel Blears: There are no Government performance targets for police forces in respect of the number of arrests to be made. The individual performance regimes for individual forces and how they are managed are rightly a matter for the chief constable and their police authority.

Prisons

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison inmates have escaped from prisons in England and Wales in each of the last eight years.

Fiona Mactaggart: The following performance indicators identify an escape as one where (i) the prisoner is not recaptured within 15 minutes or (ii) is recaptured within 15 minutes but has committed an offence other than escape before recapture.
	
		Table 1: Number of escapes from prisons (includes escapes from contracted out prisons)
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997–98 23 
			 1998–99 28 
			 1999–2000 30 
			 2000–01 11 
			 2001–02 15 
			 2002–03 5 
			 2003–04 10 
			 2004–05 12

Prisons

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances female prison officers are expected to search male prisoners; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 6 June 2005
	Female prison officers are expected to perform rub down searches on male prisoners on a routine basis. Staff working in high security establishments will carry out more frequent rub down searching than lower category establishments.
	Female officers are not allowed to view a strip search of a male prisoner or participate in one.

Prisons

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals his Department has made against tribunal decisions which have compensated female prison officers for having been made to search male prisoners in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 6 June 2005
	In the last 10 years, one female prison officer successfully sought an employment tribunal ruling that she was unfairly being asked to rub-down search male prisoners. The decision made by that tribunal is being appealed by the Prison Service.

Probation

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make the employees of probation boards in England and Wales civil servants.

Fiona Mactaggart: Work on the future organisational design of the National Offender Management Service has still to be concluded.

Probation

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been employed in the Probation Service in (a) Essex and (b) Southend in each year since 2000.

Fiona Mactaggart: The requested information is not available for the full period required. Data collected prior to 1 April 2003 is unreliable, and is not directly comparable with the more accurate figures collected since that time. The following figures show full-time equivalent (FTE) figures for each Quarter from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2005.
	Staffing information is collected by probation area, and is not collected centrally in sufficient detail to allow figures for Southend to be presented separately. The staffing figures are provided for the Essex probation area only.
	
		
			 Essex probation area FTE in post 
		
		
			 30 June 2003 385.4 
			 30 September 2003 383.7 
			 31 December 2003 393.1 
			 31 March 2004 399.1 
			 30 June 2004 414.7 
			 30 September 2004 406.5 
			 31 December 2004 432.6

Probation

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of the Probation Service in (a) Southend and (b) Essex was in each year since 2000.

Fiona Mactaggart: The table shows the net expenditure for the Essex probation area in each year since 2000.
	Data on Probation Service costs are collected by probation area. The figures collected centrally are not in sufficient detail to allow costs for Southend to be presented separately.
	
		Essex probation area
		
			 Financial year Net expenditure (£000) 
		
		
			 2000–01 10,786.20 
			 2001–02 13,554.20 
			 2002–03 14,660.80 
			 2003–04 15,308.30

Race Equality Council (Gloucestershire)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the (a) work of and (b) funding in 2005–06 for the Race Equality Council for Gloucestershire.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 24 May 2005
	Gloucestershire Race Equality Council (REC) was unsuccessful in its application for funding for this year from the Commission for Racial Equality's Getting Results grant programme. However the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) is planning to build the capacity of the voluntary and community sector, including RECs, to deliver local race equality services in the areas of most need. The CRE has set aside £250,000 for this work. I welcome this development and hope it will benefit Gloucester.

Secure Training Centres

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children were received into each secure training centre (a) on remand and (b) under sentence in each year since they opened, broken down by age.

Fiona Mactaggart: The number of young people received into each secure training centre between 1 January 2000 to 30 April 2005 is shown in the tables. Information on admissions prior to 1 April 2000 is not available centrally.
	Admissions to secure training centres
	
		2000
		
			  Sentence type 
			 STC Remand Sentenced Grand total 
		
		
			 Hassockfield STC 
			 Age
			 12 — 5 5 
			 13 1 21 22 
			 14 — 77 77 
			 15 2 15 17 
			 16 — 1 1 
			 Hassockfield STC Total 3 119 122 
			 
			 Medway
			 Age
			 12 — 2 2 
			 13 1 28 29 
			 14 — 62 62 
			 15 1 28 29 
			 16 — 11 11 
			 17 — 1 1 
			 Medway total 2 132 134 
			 
			 Rainsbrook
			 Age
			 12 — 5 5 
			 13 — 19 19 
			 14 — 83 83 
			 15 2 27 29 
			 16 — 5 5 
			 Rainsbrook total 2 139 141 
			 Grand Total 7 390 397 
		
	
	
		2001
		
			  Sentence type 
			 STC Remand Sentenced Grand total 
		
		
			 Hassockfield STC
			 Age
			 12 — 4 4 
			 13 — 35 35 
			 14 — 124 124 
			 15 — 20 20 
			 16 1 5 6 
			 Hassockfield STC Total 1 188 189 
			 
			 Medway
			 Age
			 12 — 5 5 
			 13 — 19 19 
			 14 — 78 78 
			 15 1 36 37 
			 16 1 10 11 
			 Medway total 2 148 150 
			 
			 Rainsbrook
			 Age
			 12 — 3 3 
			 13 — 21 21 
			 14 — 77 77 
			 15 — 31 31 
			 16 — 6 6 
			 17 — 1 1 
			 Rainsbrook total — 139 139 
			 Grand Total 3 475 478 
		
	
	
		2002
		
			  Sentence type 
			 STC Remand Sentenced Grand total 
		
		
			 Hassockfield STC
			 Age
			 11 — 1 1 
			 12 1 1 2 
			 13 6 32 38 
			 14 30 95 125 
			 15 8 22 30 
			 16 6 4 10 
			 Hassockfield STC Total 51 155 206 
			 
			 Medway
			 Age
			 12 — 4 4 
			 13 2 19 21 
			 14 5 59 64 
			 15 11 39 50 
			 16 9 15 24 
			 Medway total 27 136 163 
			 
			 Rainsbrook
			 Age
			 12 — 4 4 
			 13 10 31 41 
			 14 19 70 89 
			 15 18 28 46 
			 16 17 13 30 
			 17 — 1 1 
			 Rainsbrook total 64 147 211 
			 Grand Total 142 438 580 
		
	
	
		2003
		
			  Sentence type 
			 STC Remand Sentenced Grand total 
		
		
			 Hassockfield STC
			 Age
			 12 — 1 1 
			 13 5 17 22 
			 14 21 48 69 
			 15 14 33 47 
			 16 14 22 36 
			 17 — 2 2 
			 Hassockfield STC Total 54 123 177 
			 
			 Medway
			 Age
			 12 2 5 7 
			 13 10 22 32 
			 14 31 89 120 
			 15 23 78 101 
			 16 13 46 59 
			 17 1 2 3 
			 Medway total 80 242 322 
			 
			 Rainsbrook
			 Age
			 12 3 1 4 
			 13 18 16 34 
			 14 39 62 101 
			 15 47 39 86 
			 16 29 35 64 
			 Rainsbrook total 136 153 289 
			 Grand Total 270 518 788 
		
	
	
		2004
		
			  Sentence type 
			 STC Remand Sentenced Grand total 
		
		
			 Hassockfield STC
			 Age
			 12 1 1 2 
			 13 10 13 23 
			 14 31 52 83 
			 15 22 44 66 
			 16 18 20 38 
			 17 — 2 2 
			 Hassockfield STC Total 82 132 214 
			 
			 Medway
			 Age
			 12 1 4 5 
			 13 8 19 27 
			 14 22 88 110 
			 15 19 50 69 
			 16 22 55 77 
			 Medway total 72 216 288 
			 
			 Oakhill STC
			 Age
			 12 1 3 4 
			 13 2 5 7 
			 14 17 18 35 
			 15 13 14 27 
			 16 4 11 15 
			 17 — 1 1 
			 Oakhill STC total 37 52 89 
			 
			 Rainsbrook
			 Age
			 12 — 1 1 
			 13 15 13 28 
			 14 50 64 114 
			 15 28 53 81 
			 16 29 42 71 
			 17 1 — 1 
			 Rainsbrook total 123 173 296 
			 Grand Total 314 573 887 
		
	
	
		2005
		
			  Sentence type 
			 STC Remand Sentenced Grand total 
		
		
			 Hassockfield STC
			 Age
			 12 1 — 1 
			 13 4 3 7 
			 14 12 14 26 
			 15 7 13 20 
			 16 12 12 24 
			 Hassockfield STC Total 36 42 78 
			 
			 Medway
			 Age
			 13 1 4 5 
			 14 13 22 35 
			 15 6 21 27 
			 16 8 21 29 
			 17 — 2 2 
			 Medway total 28 70 98 
			 
			 Oakhill STC
			 Age
			 12 1 — 1 
			 13 2 3 5 
			 14 14 21 35 
			 15 9 23 32 
			 16 7 13 20 
			 Oakhill STC total 33 60 93 
			 Rainsbrook
			 Age
			 13 4 4 8 
			 14 16 21 37 
			 15 6 18 24 
			 16 12 14 26 
			 17 — 1 1 
			 Rainsbrook total 38 58 96 
			 Grand Total 135 230 365

Sure Start

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many second phase Sure Start's children's centres are planned in each local authority during 2006–08; and how much funding will be provided to each local authority for this purpose.

Beverley Hughes: A total of £947 million funding has been made available to local authorities in the second phase of the children's centres programme. This comprise of £405,523,772 capital and £542,205,843 revenue. The capital allocation is to contribute to the funding of new children's centre places to be created in phase two, whereas the revenue allocation is to fund both new and existing centres created in phases 1 and 2. Local authorities will develop their children's centres by building on existing provision such as Sure Start local programmes, neighbourhood nurseries and primary schools which have already benefited from a number of funding streams. The following table sets out the funding allocated to each local authority.
	
		
			 Local authority Total number of CCs required in 2006–08(47) Total capital 2006–08, including 20 per cent. London uplift(48) Total revenue 2006–08 including 10 per cent. London uplift(48) 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 6 2,388,828 5,105,821 
			 Barnet 15 3,821,802 3,082,925 
			 Barnsley 5 1,001,920 3,463,680 
			 Bath and NE Somerset 6 964,830 827,201 
			 Bedfordshire 18 2,972,555 3,267,137 
			 Bexley 8 1,568,238 2,286,878 
			 Birmingham 43 15,307,670 25,718,111 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 5 1,198,810 2,283,734 
			 Blackpool 3 750,825 2,325,298 
			 Bolton 10 3,007,975 4,041,326 
			 Bournemouth 5 1,117,310 1,896,905 
			 Bracknell Forest 6 1,028,445 836,341 
			 Bradford 15 3,839,200 10,620,192 
			 Brent 9 2,049,714 3,842,938 
			 Brighton and Hove 9 2,267,380 2,801,391 
			 Bristol 14 3,629,485 5,366,977 
			 Bromley 13 2,712,486 2,913,960 
			 Buckinghamshire 22 3,628,945 3,252,676 
			 Bury 8 2,034,685 2,531,485 
			 Calderdale 9 2,347,325 2,231,737 
			 Cambridgeshire 22 3,488,440 3,532,242 
			 Camden 9 3,478,662 2,347,693 
			 Cheshire 27 5,009,345 4,751,908 
			 City of London(49) — — — 
			 Cornwall 16 3,022,960 2,532,384 
			 County of Herefordshire 6 940,360 1,027,314 
			 Coventry 9 2,077,055 4,506,056 
			 Croydon 17 5,344,500 4,451,078 
			 Cumbria 16 2,991,755 3,655,529 
			 Darlington 2 444,090 1,002,794 
			 Derby 8 2,169,735 2,746,118 
			 Derbyshire 29 5,890,135 6,594,458 
			 Devon 24 4,283,720 3,507,294 
			 Doncaster 8 1,966,305 4.569,916 
			 Dorset 13 2,077,090 2,129,300 
			 Dudley 11 2,544,485 3,806,311 
			 Durham 12 2,690,605 4,109,869 
			 Ealing 12 3,585,480 4,859,418 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 10 1,436,025 2,295,874 
			 East Sussex 18 3,575,715 2,879,147 
			 Enfield 11 2,858,190 4,996,785 
			 Essex 53 9,001,295 10,873,952 
			 Gateshead 5 1,403,115 2,562,509 
			 Gloucestershire 23 3,826,990 3,756,377 
			 Greenwich 7 2,331,942 4,901,299 
			 Hackney 8 4,271,454 6,552,491 
			 Halton 3 477,295 809,168 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 7 2,499,168 1,656,494 
			 Hampshire 53 9,515,160 7,958,958 
			 Haringey 8 3.366,132 4,725,163 
			 Harrow 9 1,012,830 1,818,542 
			 Hartlepool 2 718,190 1,110,245 
			 Havering 8 1,283,682 1,988,912 
			 Hertfordshire 49 9,371,350 7,761,791 
			 Hillingdon 12 3,297,744 2,366,595 
			 Hounslow 11 3,647,964 3,472,361 
			 Isle of Wight 3 409,150 1,379,321 
			 Isles of Stilly — — — 
			 Islington 5 2,566,722 3,613,793 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 6 1,301,292 1,378,808 
			 Kent 52 9,134,060 10,648,341 
			 Kingston upon Hull 7 2,273,440 2,599,548 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 7 829,920 1,190,239 
			 Kirklees 15 3,778,855 6,714,086 
			 Knowsley 3 681,925 2,410,783 
			 Lambeth 10 4,146,438 6,336,245 
			 Lancashire 40 8,130,990 10,283,537 
			 Leeds 26 7,308,535 8,385,926 
			 Leicester City 8 2,169,125 6,572,971 
			 Leicestershire 24 4,104,055 3,777,122 
			 Lewisham 9 3,044,958 5,902,008 
			 Lincolnshire 23 4,192,565 3,423,583 
			 Liverpool 8 2,907,975 9,025,886 
			 Luton 8 2,151,485 3,787,873 
			 Manchester 10 3,946,160 9,419,364 
			 Medway 10 1,898,615 2,542,766 
			 Merton 8 1,793,226 1,893,882 
			 Middlesbrough 4 1,096,435 1,181,447 
			 Milton Keynes 10 1,737,145 2,174,242 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 6 1,448,890 2,345,930 
			 Newham 8 4,157,658 9,083,995 
			 Norfolk 26 3,903,885 3,967,069 
			 North East Lincolnshire 6 1,844,420 1,386,399 
			 North Lincolnshire 4 806,955 1,210,277 
			 North Somerset 7 999,235 1,219,607 
			 North Tyneside 6 1,403,335 2,059,718 
			 North Yorkshire 21 3,261,090 3,211,280 
			 Northamptonshire 27 4,996,990 5,213,489 
			 Northumberland 10 2,046,550 1,628,435 
			 Nottingham City 7 2,476,120 4,527,426 
			 Nottinghamshire 26 5,093,215 6,146,864 
			 Oldham 8 2,189,620 4,071,087 
			 Oxfordshire 25 4,314,465 4,480,780 
			 Peterborough 6 1,458,780 1,790,517 
			 Plymouth 7 1,667,945 2.512,798 
			 Poole 6 1,218,555 961,301 
			 Portsmouth 7 1,798,495 1,797,128 
			 Reading 6 1,139,670 1,591,823 
			 Redbridge 10 1,941,708 2,842,516 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 4 614,895 979,244 
			 Richmond Upon Thames 9 1,141,560 1,485,168 
			 Rochdale 8 2,372,525 2,670,073 
			 Rotherham 8 1,836,645 4,173,631 
			 Rutland 1 218,225 180,784 
			 Salford 6 1,550,040 3,646,710 
			 Sandwell 7 2,382,750 6,173,249 
			 Sefton 9 1,817,725 2,436,913 
			 Sheffield 18 4,749,895 5,932,118 
			 Shropshire 10 1,833,355 1,506,545 
			 Slough 5 922,740 1,862,463 
			 Solihull 7 1,362,130 1,971,992 
			 Somerset 19 3,087,485 2,897,077 
			 South Tyneside 3 751,005 1,982,293 
			 Southampton 8 1,887,540 2,380,347 
			 Southend 7 1,587,465 1,933,426 
			 Southward 9 3,555,360 5,319,798 
			 St. Helens 4 971,460 2,311,935 
			 Staffordshire 32 5,760,275 5,065,655 
			 South Gloucestershire 11 2,139,975 1,717,490 
			 Stockport 12 2,637,190 3,134,651 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 6 1,250,715 979,949 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 5 1,333,265 3,343,144 
			 Suffolk 26 4,279,960 4,564,098 
			 Sunderland 6 1,572,125 3,704,269 
			 Surrey 46 8,113,945 6,862,882 
			 Sutton 8 1,585,572 1,648,579 
			 Swindon 7 1,074,825 1,819,870 
			 Tameside 6 1,657,750 3,336.263 
			 Telford and Wrekin 7 1,346,770 2,178,740 
			 Thurrock 5 786,815 2,162,756 
			 Torbay 3 367,850 1,128,890 
			 Tower Hamlets 6 3,090,984 5,573,446 
			 Trafford 8 1,638,910 2,620,577 
			 West Berkshire 6 1,164,685 945,625 
			 Wakefield 8 1,908,270 5,207,885 
			 Walsall 8 2,494,510 4,575,941 
			 Waltham Forest 8 2,913,036 5,400,914 
			 Wandsworth 13 3,734,946 2,656,529 
			 Warrington 7 1,466,965 2,017,555 
			 Warwickshire 20 3,244,685 3,475,765 
			 West Sussex 30 5,478,575 4,563,728 
			 Westminster 7 2,525,826 1,735,024 
			 Wigan 9 2,350,235 5,882,837 
			 Wiltshire 20 3,764,660 3,035,235 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 6 1,090,780 885,129 
			 Wirral 9 2,055,330 4,700,360 
			 Wokingham 7 1,082,650 901,730 
			 Wolverhampton 6 1,598,730 3,678,806 
			 Worcestershire 23 4,372,670 3,523,769 
			 York 8 1,689,450 1,330,718 
			 Total 1,823 405,523,772 542,205,843 
		
	
	(47)These are subject to negotiation if authorities with large targets wish to defer some centres to phase 3;
	(48)Excluding rural uplift. Authorities with rural areas will be advised of their allocations shortly;
	(49)Allocations yet to be agreed—due to the small number of children in those authorities we are working with the authorities to determine suitable targets and funding.

Tube Ticket Touting

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made outside tube stations in (a) Brent East and (b) each London borough for ticket touting in each year since 1997.

Fiona Mactaggart: In England and Wales ticket touting outside tube stations is not in itself an offence.

Violent Crime (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent crimes against the person were committed in (a) Brent East and (b) each London borough in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The available information relates to Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) areas in the Metropolitan Police force area and is available on the Home Office website. Data at CDRP level is only available from 1999.
	The appropriate links are as follows:
	Data for 2002–03 and 2003–04:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/cdrptabs.xls
	Data for 2000–01 and 2001–02:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hosb702chap7.xls—Table 7.06
	Data for 1999–2000:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/1200data2.xls -Table 7.

Weapon Sales

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will impose restrictions on the sale of crossbows and swords.

Hazel Blears: There are restrictions on the sale of these weapons to young people and it is also an offence to have an offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. It is already an offence to sell knives and other articles with a blade or point including swords to a person under 16. We are raising this to a person under 18 in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill. We condemn the misuse of crossbows and swords and will keep the powers to deal with offensive weapons under review as the Bill goes through Parliament.

Youth Justice Bill

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will publish the draft Youth Justice Bill.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 9 June 2005
	We are currently working on a range of youth justice provisions which will be introduced in one or more Bills as soon as parliamentary time permits.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Community Justice Facilities

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's plans to establish community justice facilities in Salford.

Harriet Harman: A community justice initiative is being developed in Salford. The initiative will focus on antisocial behaviour and increasing community confidence in the criminal justice system. The initiative will be operational from November 2005. Salford is the second community justice initiative in the country.

Compensation Claims Companies

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the Department's plan to regulate advertising by compensation claims management companies.

Bridget Prentice: We are committed to tackling irresponsible claims advertising by claims management companies and solicitors that raises false hopes of compensation and encourages people to bring unnecessary claims. We are considering what action needs to be taken to address this.

Compulsory Voting

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the review of electoral systems will examine the merits of compulsory voting.

Harriet Harman: The Department for Constitutional Affairs is conducting an official level review of the experiences of the new systems for the election of members of the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly, the European Parliament and the Greater London Assembly and Mayor. This review is not considering the case for compulsory voting.

Coroners Courts

Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether she plans to hold a review of the (a) operation and (b) scope of coroners courts; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The Government are committed to reforming the arrangements relating to coroners and death certification and these include the operation and scope of coroners courts. I shall be looking at the best way of taking this forward, building on the Home Office Position Paper and taking into account the Reports of the Fundamental Review of the Coroner Service and the Shipman Inquiry.

Court House (Colchester)

Bob Russell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on progress with the proposed new court house in Colchester.

Harriet Harman: The Essex magistrates court scheme, of which Colchester is part, continues to be within the programme of new court projects. However, my Department is still finalising investment plans, as part of the development of a business strategy for Her Majesty's Court Service. This is due to be produced by the end of summer 2005 and a further announcement will be made shortly thereafter.

Deputy District Judges

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  how many deputy district judges (magistrates courts) were in post on 1 January in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many district judges (magistrates courts) were in post on 1 January in each of the last five years; and what plans she has to increase the number.

Harriet Harman: The number of district judges (magistrates courts) (DJ(MC)) and deputy district judges (magistrates courts) (DDJ(MC)) in posts on 1 January from 2001 to 2005 was as follows.
	
		
			  DJ(MC) DDJ(MC) 
		
		
			 2001 91 169 
			 2002 95 162 
			 2003 105 147 
			 2004 106 174 
			 2005 124 149 
		
	
	Existing plans allow for a total number of DJ(MC) posts in 2005–06 of 140 in 2006–07 of 145 and in 2007–08 of 150. The number created in any year is however subject to the business needs of Her Majesty's Courts Service. The total number of approved posts at this time in England and Wales is 137.

Electoral Administration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what plans the Government have to ringfence Government funding of local authorities' electoral administration budgets;
	(2)  what plans the Government have to introduce performance targets for local authority electoral administration departments.

Harriet Harman: The Government have no plans to ringfence Government funding of local authorities' electoral administration budgets. The Government intend to include in the forthcoming Electoral Administration Bill a power to allow the Electoral Commission to set performance standards for electoral administration and to require reports to be prepared on how they have been met.

Electoral Administration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's plans to (a) introduce clearer rules for candidates and political parties and (b) reduce bureaucracy for smaller parties and independent candidates.

Harriet Harman: The Government's response to The Electoral Commission's report Voting for change—An electoral law modernisation programme", published in December 2004 sets out how we propose to take forward the Commission's proposals relating to candidates and political parties. The necessary legislative provisions will be included in the Electoral Administration Bill which was announced in the Queen's Speech on 17 May.

Electoral Administration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions Ministers have held over the last 12 months with the Electoral Commission regarding individual voter registration.

Harriet Harman: Ministers in my Department have held various meetings with the Electoral Commission in the last 12 months where electoral issues, including individual voter registration were discussed.

Electoral Administration

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many people have been imprisoned in each year since 1995 for offences under electoral law.

Harriet Harman: We are aware of the following prosecutions, although, this information is not collected centrally. The cases include Hackney where two councillors were imprisoned in 2001 for three years each for registering electors falsely. In Blackburn, a Labour councillor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the returning officer. He was sentenced to three years and seven months on 8 April 2005. In Guildford, a former Conservative councillor was jailed for four months in April 2004 for forging ballot papers in a local election. These prosecutions even though related to electoral matters were not specific electoral offences.

Electoral Administration

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many prosecutions there have been in (a) the UK, (b) Kent and (c) Swale for not registering to vote since 1997.

Harriet Harman: It is not an offence in electoral law to fail to register to vote although it is an offence to fail to complete and return an annual registration canvass form to an electoral registration officer (ERO). Local EROs are responsible for compiling a register of eligible electors for their registration area and would hold locally any records regarding prosecutions for failure to supply information requested. I understand there have been none since 1997 in Swale but such information is not collected centrally either for Kent or the UK.

Electoral Administration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what arrangements are in place for obtaining copies of the marked electoral register in (a) Scotland, (b) Northern Ireland and (c) England.

Harriet Harman: In Scotland, the marked electoral registers produced at the 2005 general election are stored by the relevant sheriff clerk of the sheriff court. In Northern Ireland, they are stored by the Clerk of the Crown for Northern Ireland, in Belfast. In England (and Wales) they are stored by Pickfords Records Management, at their site in Bow, London, on behalf of the Clerk of the Crown. Applications to view or obtain copies of them should be made to those authorities.

Family Justice

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the Department's plans to reform the family justice system.

Bridget Prentice: The Government published 'Parental Separation: Children's needs and Parents' Responsibilities, Next Steps' on 18 January, which sets out plans to implement a range of measures to help separating parents in dispute reach agreement about future parenting arrangements.
	The Government's plans include improvements in the information available to parents and greater use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and conciliation at the start of court proceedings. The Family Resolutions Pilot Project is testing out new arrangements for handling the more intractable contact cases. The Government intends to promote these methods as better ways to reach agreement than through contested court hearings.
	Also on 18 January, the former President of the Family Division issued the Private Law Programme, designed to improve judicial case management and reduce delays in the family justice system.
	Legislation (the Children and Adoption Bill) will be taken forward in the 2005–06 parliamentary session to give the courts more flexible powers to help improve the enforcement of court orders and facilitate child contact. The draft Bill underwent pre-legislative scrutiny.

Gravestones

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what guidance he provides for local authorities on the need to consult families of the deceased before (a) levelling, (b) disturbing and (c) flattening gravestones or markers;
	(2)  how many people have been (a) killed and (b) seriously injured by falling or unstable gravestones in (i) St. Albans and (ii) Hertfordshire in the last 25 years.

Harriet Harman: Advice has been sought from relevant professional bodies on issues arising from unsafe memorials and we are currently considering what guidance might now be given to local authorities and others on these issues, including the need to consult families.
	Information on the total number of deaths and serious injuries is not recorded centrally, but I understand that, sadly, as at June 2004 there have been at least three deaths and 18 serious injuries attributed to unstable memorials in recent years. I understand that none of these incidents has occurred in St. Albans or in Hertfordshire.

High Court Applications (Wills)

Alan Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what records are kept of the number of applications to the High Court to seal a will in order to prevent it being made public.

Harriet Harman: Records are not maintained centrally of the number of applications to the High Court to seal a will in order to prevent its being made public. That information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to the Department.

Judicial Pensions Bill

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the Department's plans to bring forward a Judicial Pensions Bill.

Harriet Harman: The inclusion of a Judicial Pensions Bill in the legislative programme for the 1st Session of the new Parliament, was announced at the time of the Queen's Speech on 17 May 2005.

Legal Aid

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the Department's plans to reduce the proportion of the legal aid budget expended on very high cost criminal cases.

Bridget Prentice: The Government and the Legal Services Commission are committed to securing value for money in all high cost legal aid cases, particularly very high cost criminal cases. We are addressing very high cost criminal cases in two ways. First, the fundamental legal aid review announced in May 2004, has been examining wider processes on criminal legal aid costs so that better outcomes for those who need publicly funded legal services can be achieved and efficient services delivered for the taxpayer. Second from September 2003 the Legal Services Commission has brought all new eligible very high cost criminal cases under individual case contracts. In these cases all work must be set out in a stage plan in advance, so that the Legal Services Commission can ensure that the work done is proportionate. The Legal Services Commission calculates that during 2003–04 savings of around £26.5 million were achieved.

Magistrates

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage of trials in magistrates courts in the Greater London area were ineffective on the date fixed for trial in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: In the last 12 months (financial year April 2004-March 2005) 31.7 per cent. of trials in the magistrates courts Greater London area became ineffective on the date of trial. In comparison to this 37.1 per cent. of trials became ineffective on the date of trial for the financial year April 2003-March 2004. This is a 14.8 per cent. improvement in performance.

Parliamentary Boundaries

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the timetable is for parliamentary boundary changes in (a) England and (b) Wales.

Harriet Harman: The Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales submitted its report recommending boundary changes for Westminster parliamentary and National Assembly of Wales constituencies in January 2005. That report will be laid before Parliament shortly. In its last annual report, the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England indicated that, at its current rate of progress, it expected to publish its report on English parliamentary boundaries in the late summer of 2006. Once implemented, no changes will take effect until the next Westminster parliamentary general election, or the next general election to the National Assembly of Wales.

Personal Injury Cases

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans the Department has to raise the limit on small claims for personal injury cases.

Bridget Prentice: The Better Regulation Task Force in its report, 'Better Routes to Redress' recommended that research should be carried out into the potential impact of raising the small claims limit for personal injury cases from the current limit of £1,000. The Government indicated that it would carry out this research and would also consider other options for dealing with these claims in a more proportionate and cost effective way. That research is currently under way and consultation will take place on any proposals which may emerge.

Negligence

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on plans to make statutory changes to the common law tort of negligence.

Bridget Prentice: The Government have announced that they will introduce legislation in the Compensation Bill to clarify the existing common law of negligence to make clear that those who take reasonable care or exercise reasonable skill cannot be held liable for untoward incidents.

Victims of Crime

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans the Department has to grant the victims of certain crimes and their families a right to representation and advocacy in court.

Harriet Harman: We are looking at how we could provide legal advice and representation for victims of certain crimes. We are now working up proposals, with other ministerial colleagues, and will make an announcement in due course.

Voter Registration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the Government's policy is on individual voter registration.

Harriet Harman: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 24 May 2005, Official Report, column 84W.

Voter Registration

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many prosecutions there have been under the Representation of the People Act 2000 for failing to register to vote.

Harriet Harman: It is not an offence in electoral law to fail to register to vote although it is an offence to fail to complete and return an annual registration canvass form to an electoral registration officer (ERO). Local EROs are responsible for compiling a register of eligible electors for their registration area and would hold locally any records regarding prosecutions for failure to supply information requested.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria will be used to determine where new Academies will be placed.

Jacqui Smith: The location of Academies is determined on an individual basis taking into account historic educational performance, the level of deprivation in the area concerned, parental demand as well as the quality and suitability of each specific proposal.

Adult Education Funding

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what budgets have been agreed between her Department and the Learning and Skills Council for adult education for each region of England for (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06.

Maria Eagle: The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Of the LSC's 2004–05 budget, £2.466 billion was allocated to adult education, including adult FE provision, Adult Community Learning and Work Based Learning. Of the 2005–06 budget, £2.499 billion was allocated to adult education. It should be noted however that allocations for 2005/06 academic year are still being finalised, and the figures for both FE and Work Based Learning may change.
	The Department does not agree specific regional budgets with the LSC for adult education.

A-levels

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what actions her Department is taking to develop extended projects at A-level;
	(2)  when she intends to introduce extended projects at A-level.

Jacqui Smith: We have asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to take forward work on developing extended projects in consultation with employers and higher education institutions. Consultation will extend into the autumn.
	Different models of the extended project will be piloted from September 2006, and QCA will evaluate the outcomes in 2007 and 2008.

Autism

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the schools which provide specialist education for children with autism; and which are (a) residential and (b) non-residential.

Maria Eagle: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Building Schools for the Future

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what account was taken of the school repair backlog when prioritising schools under the Building Schools for the Future programme;
	(2)  what the target dates are for agreeing the Education Vision for projects in (a) waves 4–6, (b) waves 7–9, (c) waves 10–12 and (d) waves 13–15 of the Building Schools for the Future initiative.

Jacqui Smith: We have set up Building Schools for the Future to change the 'patch and mend' approach to the school repair backlog, which unfortunately built up over many decades of underinvestment. Repair backlog was not a criterion for choosing projects. But local authorities were asked to reflect repair backlog at their schools in their proposals for wave 1 and expressions of interest for waves 2 and 3. This information fed into our allocations to each project. We expect each local authority to carry out options appraisals to decide how best to address the condition and other issues at each school, and to invest appropriately.
	Assuming that spending reviews continue in the current pattern, we intend to announce two further waves of investment after each spending review. So, for example, waves four and five would be announced in late 2006, waves 6 and 7 in 2008, and so on. Our planning assumption is that local authorities will submit education visions for agreement within three months of a project starting.

Building Schools for the Future

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) new schools, (b) replacement schools and (c) refurbished schools are to be provided in each of the (i) Pathfinder and (ii) wave one Building Schools for the Future projects.

Jacqui Smith: For Building Schools for the Future pathfinder projects the breakdown of new build and refurbished schools, (all of which are replacement schools) is as follows:
	
		
			 Authority Number of new build schools Number of refurbished schools 
		
		
			 Bradford 3 — 
			 Bristol 4 — 
			 Greenwich 3 2 
			 Lewisham 1 2 
			 Sheffield 3 6 
		
	
	For Building Schools for the Future wave one projects, current plans indicate that there will be one new school (as in additional provision) provided in Waltham Forest, with the breakdown of new build and refurbishment in replacement schools as follows:
	
		
			 Authority Number of new build schools Number of refurbished schools 
		
		
			 Knowsley 8 — 
			 Lancashire 9 — 
			 Leeds 5 9 
			 Leicester 6 12 
			 Manchester 8 8 
			 Newcastle 3 7 
			 Newham 4 11 
			 Solihull 4 — 
			 South Tyneside 3 9 
			 Stoke 9 15 
			 Sunderland 5 4 
			 Waltham Forest 2 5

Building Schools for the Future

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the private sector partners involved in each successful bid for Building Schools for the Future.

Jacqui Smith: Eight projects in wave one of Building Schools for the Future are currently in procurement but none has reached the stage of appointing a preferred bidder yet. We expect the most advanced projects to appoint preferred bidders in October this year

Bullying

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the prevalence of bullying in schools in England.

Jacqui Smith: Data on bullying are not collected centrally and there is no reliable basis for an estimate of prevalence. Bullying cases appear to be reported more often now than previously but we have no hard evidence that bullying is increasing or that it is affecting more children. Indeed, as children and young people increasingly feel safe at school to report bullying, and confident that it will be tackled effectively and sensitively, it is likely reporting will rise.
	However, any level of bullying is too high and we are determined to help schools tackle the problem. Our guidance pack 'Bullying: Don't Suffer in Silence', the anti-bullying Charter and the anti-bullying website www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying offer detailed advice on preventing and addressing bullying. We also offer specific advice to schools on tackling homophobic bullying and are developing advice on racist bullying.

CAFCASS

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to reform the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

Maria Eagle: We are continuing to develop CAFCASS's role as a key contributor to the Government's work to improve the support available to children and families. In particular, the Green Paper Parental Separation: Children's Needs and Parents' Responsibilities", published in July 2004, and the subsequent Next Steps" document, published in January 2005, set out a major change of approach for CAFCASS practitioners working with families, by moving their work away from report writing to a more active, problem-solving role in facilitating agreement between parents over contact and residence arrangements in the best interests of their children. The Children (Contact) and Adoption Bill will underpin this new role, by giving CAFCASS a clear part to play in facilitating contact and monitoring contact orders.
	This shift in the nature of CAFCASS's work closely reflects the view of the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, in its March 2005 report on Family Justice, which recommended an emphasis on 'overcoming problems' in CAFCASS interventions.
	In addition, CAFCASS is currently undergoing internal restructuring in order further to renew and strengthen its operational front-line focus for all aspects of its work with children and families.

CAFCASS

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases remain to be allocated to a case worker in the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS); and what the average length of time is for allocation of new cases to a case worker, broken down by CAFCASS region in England.

Maria Eagle: The total number of CAFCASS unallocated Public Law Children Act 1989 cases (applications for local authority care and supervision orders and applications for adoption) at 31 March 2005 is 316, representing 2.7 per cent. of the caseload. This meets CAFCASS' key performance indicator target that the number of cases unallocated for the month should be no more than the target of 3 per cent. of the workload.
	A regional break-down of Public Law cases is provided in the following table which shows the number of unallocated cases by region.
	
		CAFCASS—Public Law unallocated cases at 31 March 2005
		
			 Region  
		
		
			 East Midlands 2 
			 Eastern 15 
			 Greater London 90 
			 North East 20 
			 North West 35 
			 South East 41 
			 South West 22 
			 Wales 2 
			 West Midlands 35 
			 Yorks and Humberside 54 
			 Total 316 
		
	
	In Public Law, CAFCASS' key performance indicator states that at least 98 per cent. of all public allocations each month for all case types should be within 28 days of receipt of request. In 2004/05 CAFCASS allocated 92.7 per cent. of it cases within 28 days.
	The total number of CAFCASS Private Law reports (as a consequence of applications for parental responsibility, residence and contact, where parents have been unable to reach agreement on these matters) unallocated less than 10 weeks before filing date as at 31 March 2005 is 168, representing 2 per cent. of the total caseload. In addition CAFCASS hold managed unallocated" cases where the court has agreed a filing time later than the standard 10 to12 weeks.
	CAFCASS does not collect information on the length of time taken to allocate new Private Law cases to case workers by region. CAFCASS' key performance indicator states that the number of private law reports unallocated less than 10 weeks before the court filing date for the month should be no more than 4 per cent. of the total workload.
	A regional break-down for Private Law work unallocated less than 10 weeks before filing date is provided in the following table.
	
		CAFCASS—Private Law unallocated cases at 31 March 2005
		
			   Region Number of unallocated reports less than 10 weeks before court filing date 
		
		
			 East Midlands 0 
			 Eastern 0 
			 Greater London 3 
			 North East 15 
			 North West 21 
			 South East 12 
			 South West 77 
			 Wales 1 
			 West Midlands 13 
			 Yorks and Humberside 26 
			 Total 168

CAFCASS

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact on families who are affected by delays at the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

Maria Eagle: The impact of delay on the welfare of children and their families is a concern for all of the agencies involved in family proceedings and we are concentrating on addressing the causes of delay. It is also a top priority for CAFCASS and, together with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, we are working closely with CAFCASS, the judiciary, local authority social services and others in order to reduce delays in Public Law Children Act 1989 cases (cases that involve social services—mainly care proceedings and adoptions).
	CAFCASS itself is making progress in this area. For example, for the CAFCASS Key Performance Indicator Target for 98 per cent. of public law work to be allocated within 28 days, 93.5 per cent. was achieved in March 2005, compared with 90.6 per cent. in March 2004.
	Progress is also being made in Private Law work (mainly disputes between separating parents over contact and residence arrangements for their children). CAFCASS has a Private Law Key Performance Indicator Target, where the number of reports unallocated less than 10 weeks before court filing date for the month should be no more than the target of 4 per cent. of the workload. In March 2005 2.0 per cent. of cases were unallocated, compared with 3.2. per cent. in March 2004. There is an expectation that private law reports are completed within 10 to 12 weeks of the date of request being made to CAFCASS. CAFCASS also have managed unallocated" cases where the court has agreed a filing time later than the standard 10 to 12 weeks. In March 2005 10.8 per cent. of cases were managed unallocated", compared with 15.5 per cent. in March 2004. The CAFCASS waiting list is continuously reviewed and re-prioritised.
	A change in the role of CAFCASS practitioners willalso contribute to reducing court delay in Private Law cases. The Green Paper Parental Separation: Children's Needs and Parents' Responsibilities", published in July 2004, and the subsequent Next Steps" document, published in January 2005, set out a major change of approach for CAFCASS practitioners working with families, by moving their work away from report writing to a more active, problem-solving role in facilitating agreement between parents over contact and residence arrangements in the best interests of their children.

Capital City Academy

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the performance of the Capital City Academy; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Ofsted inspectors carried out a monitoring visit at Capital City Academy on 18 and 19 May this year, focusing on pupil attainment. That visit found that much has been achieved in the Academy's second year. Year 11 pupils achieved higher than expected results in their 2004 GCSE examinations based on their starting points at the beginning of key stage 4, and the proportion gaining five or more A* to C grades met the target set.
	Ofsted conduct monitoring inspections of academies within two years of opening, and the Department's educational advisers also carry out termly monitoring visits. A full inspection of Capital City Academy, which will be published on the Ofsted website, is due before the end of next year.

Child Safeguarding Unit

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what guidelines the Department has issued to child safeguarding units at local education authorities on the recording of (a) teachers' names and (b) details of the complaint where the complaint was dismissed;
	(2)  what details about teachers are held by child safeguarding units where a complaint has been made against them;
	(3)  what rights teachers have to challenge information held against their name by child safeguarding units;
	(4)  in what circumstances information held by child safeguarding units is shared with third parties;
	(5)  for how long teachers' names are held by child safeguarding units following the outcome of a complaint.

Jacqui Smith: My Department has not issued guidelines about recording details of teachers who are the subject of complaints nor does it collect information about the length of time such records are kept by local authorities or what details about the teacher authorities record in each case. It does, however, ask local authorities to collect statistical data about all allegations of abuse made against teachers and other education staff. The information does not identify individuals, but includes information such as the nature of the alleged abuse, and the gender of the person accused, as well as information about how the allegation was investigated and the outcome of that.
	It is essential that individuals and organisations working with children share information for the purpose of protecting children. However, it is also important that in all cases the disclosure of information complies with the appropriate legislation: the Data Protection Act and the Human Rights Act, and takes account of the common law duty of confidence, and teachers have the same rights as everyone has under the Data Protection Act to see information that is held about them and challenge its accuracy.

City Academies

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to her answer of 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 330–31W, on City Academies, if she will request the information regarding the proportion of lessons setted in city academy schools from Ofsted.

Jacqui Smith: Ofsted collect some information from Academies and other schools on the extent to which lessons are setted as part of their inspection into the overall quality of education, although this is not done systematically. For example, they will record whether each lesson which is observed is setted or not but they will not ask the school about the total number of lessons which are setting. We do not intend to increase the bureaucratic burden by requiring Ofsted to ask routinely for this information from Academies or other schools.

City Academies

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many students were permanently excluded from each city academy in each academic year since the academy was opened;
	(2)  how many permanent exclusions from secondary schools took place in each local education authority which has a city academy in its area, in each academic year since the opening of the academy.

Jacqui Smith: Latest exclusions data are for 2002/03. The table provides the requested information for the first three academies that opened in September 2002.
	
		Number and percentage of permanent exclusions(50)—2002/03
		
			   Permanent exclusions from the academy Permanent exclusions from maintained secondary schools within the LEA 
			 Establishment name LEA name Number Percentage(51) Number Percentage(51) 
		
		
			 Greig City Academy, Haringey Haringey 13 1.54 29 0.27 
			 Unity City Academy Middlesbrough 0 0.00 5 0.07 
			 The Business Academy, Bexley Bexley 4 0.56 56 0.32 
		
	
	(50)Permanent exclusions data are collected retrospectively. The Annual Schools Census (ASC) for 2004 collected data on pupils in schools in January 2004 together with data on permanent exclusions in the school year 2002/03. Figures are as reported by schools.
	(51)The number of exclusions expressed as a percentage of the school population as at January 2003.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Departmental IT contracts

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the (a) projected cost at the time of tender and (b) actual cost at the time of completion was for each IT contract commissioned by her Department and its predecessors in the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The information in the following table relates to our more recent or current contracts which have been put in place, however, information relating to the last five years is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.
	
		£
		
			 IT contract Business case Cost of contract 
		
		
			 Records Management Service 3.8 million 2.2 million 
			 IP—WAN 1.5 million 993,360 
			 Power over Ethernet 550,600 642,957 
			 Electronic Document and Records  Management—Pilot 1.2 million 1.3 million 
			 Caxton House Network Backbone Upgrade 500,000 319,253 
			 Moorfoot Network Backbone Upgrade 400,000 268,664 
			 Integrated HR/Payroll System 850,000 666,000 
			 Integrated Financial Information System 1.6 million 1.7 million 
			 Dual Data Centre 2.2 million 1.7 million 
			 Remote Office 254,000 198,000 
			 Video Conference Upgrade 492,000 492,000 
			 Correspondence Handling System 852,000 850,000 
			 Video/telecom support 450,000 420,000 
			 Video Conference Maintenance 400,000 400,000 
			 Telephony Services 10.8 million 10.8 million 
			 Hard/Software Network Support 375,000 300,000 
			 Web Hosting 5 million 3.64 million 
			 Telephones Moves and Changes 500,000 450,000

Drug-addicted Parents

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the Government's estimate is of the number of children being brought up by grandparents because the children's parents have drug addiction problems.

Maria Eagle: The Government do not make any estimate of the number of children being brought up by grandparents because of parental drug abuse.

Education Champion (Nottingham)

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the creation of an Education Champion for Nottingham, North.

Jacqui Smith: There is a Higher Education Champion for Nottingham, North, funded by Aimhigher through the Department and Higher Education Funding Council.

Educational Provision

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria will be used to determine whether overall educational standards are too low when making decisions on new school provision.

Jacqui Smith: The principal criteria in making such decisions will be Ofsted inspection judgments, and in particular inspectors' opinions that the overall provision in the school is inadequate, and that the school requires special measures or significant improvement, in accordance with the Education Act 2005.

Educational Provision

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what role her Department will have in making new provision in education to address low standards.

Jacqui Smith: The Education Act 2005 requires local authorities to hold a competition whenever they plan to establish a new secondary school, including a school which is replacing one or more existing schools. This means that if a school is closed, and a new school established in its place, the local authority must invite potential providers to bring forward proposals. A local authority or potential provider may apply to the Secretary of State to publish proposals for a new school without a competition in exceptional circumstances, for example where it is intended to replace a weak or failing school as part of a collaborative restart. In considering such an application, the Secretary of State would have regard to the extent to which the local authority or independent provider's proposals would contribute to the quality and diversity of provision in the area.

English SATs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will revise marking guidelines for Standard Assessment Tests at Key Stage 3 in English to ensure spelling is taken into account in assessing performance.

Jacqui Smith: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is responsible for the development and marking of the National Curriculum Tests. Spelling has always been assessed in the Key Stage 3 English test and will continue to be.

Faith Communities

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent consultations have been carried out by her Department with representatives of faith communities; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Education and Skills has carried out 46 public consultations since 1 December 2003.
	Five of these consultations specified faith communities as part of their target audience:
	Application of the Best Value Code of Practice on Workforce Matters in Local Authority Service Contracts to Maintained Schools
	Interagency Co-operation to Improve the Wellbeing of Children: Children's Trusts Regulations and Guidance on the Children's and Young People's Plan
	Inclusion, Equality and Diversity: Data
	School Inspection Regulations

FE Colleges (Targets)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the public service agreement target referred to in the Departmental Report 2004, Cm 6202, page 73, what targets have been set by the (a) Department and (b) learning skills councils for (i) minimum performance and (ii) value for money for (A) further education colleges and (B) other providers.

Bill Rammell: The public service agreement committed Government to set minimum performance and value for money targets for further education colleges and institutions, and work based learning providers. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC), working in partnership with the Department, set the minimum performance targets in 2003. Each college has been set a minimum standard for learner achievement and by 2006, every college and 90 per cent. of work based learning providers will be expected to meet or exceed these minimum standards.
	Floor targets have been set separately for long and short qualifications for further education colleges and institutions as follows:
	
		Percentage
		
			  Long Short 
		
		
			 General FE (and Tertiary) colleges 45 55 
			 Specialist colleges 45 55 
			 Sixth Form colleges 55 50 
			 Funded further education provision in  former external institutions 40 45 
		
	
	In work-based learning two floor targets have been set at 40 per cent. and 35 per cent. for different sectors to reflect variations between them.
	Value for money targets for colleges have not yet been set. The Department and LSC will develop and trial new value for money indicators during 2006/07 and implement new measures from 2007/08.

Foundation Schools

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation will be necessary to allow primary schools to become foundation schools.

Jacqui Smith: Primary and secondary legislation is already in place to allow primary schools which are not foundation schools to acquire foundation status. The relevant provisions are section 35 of, and schedule 8 to, the School Standards and Framework Act; and the Education (Change of Category of Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2000, as amended.
	The Government's manifesto contains a commitment to enable primary schools to acquire foundation status more easily. This would require amendments to the relevant secondary legislation, which governs the procedures for publishing and deciding proposals to acquire foundation status. We will set out our detailed proposals for implementing this commitment in due course.

Foundation Schools

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects the first primary schools to become foundation schools.

Jacqui Smith: There are already over 360 foundation primary schools in England. Primary schools which are not foundation schools may seek to acquire foundation status by publishing statutory proposals, which are decided by the School Organisation Committee. The Government intend to enable primary schools to acquire foundation status more easily, and we will set out our detailed proposals in due course.

GCSE Food Technology

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to what extent the course content of GCSE food technology covers (a) food choice, (b) nutrient provision, (c) nutritional needs of individuals, (d) energy balance and (e) dietary guidelines for health.

Jacqui Smith: The precise content of GCSE examination courses is set out in subject specifications, which are a matter for individual awarding bodies. Awarding body specifications must, however, conform to subject criteria laid down by QCA.
	The GCSE subject criteria for home economics (food and nutrition) specify, among other things, that candidates should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
	nutrition in relation to the preparation and cooking of food;
	the relationship between nutrition and good health;
	the effect of the marketing and advertising of food products on consumer choice.
	Candidates must also demonstrate knowledge and understanding about diet and health in relation to different family members; and how food choice is affected by a variety of factors.

GCSE Music

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many secondary schools in England offer GCSE music.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the number of secondary schools offering GCSE music is not centrally available. However, it is possible to provide the number of schools where at least one pupil has attempted GCSE music. In 2003/04, 3,461 out of the 5,353 secondary schools had at least one pupil attempt GCSE music. This is equivalent to 65 per cent. of all secondary schools.

Grammar Schools (Buckinghamshire)

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children there have been in each (a) grammar school and (b) upper school in Buckinghamshire in each year since 2001, broken down by ethnic group.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Inner-London Education

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much each inner London local education authority has received under each Government initiative aimed at raising secondary school standards in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The following tables show how much each inner London local education received under each Government initiative aimed at raising standards in secondary schools since 1997–98 The tables also give comparable figures for Southampton local education authority since 1997–98.
	
		Grant for Inner London and Southampton local education authorities under initiatives to raise secondary schools standards since 1997–98  -- £
		
			 Local education authority Key Stage 3 National Strategy Excellence in Cities Leadership Incentive Grant Leading Edge Beacon Schools Specialist Schools 
		
		
			 1997–98   
			 City of London — — — — — 0 
			 Camden — — — — — 128,500 
			 Greenwich — — — — — 138,100 
			 Hackney — — — — — 47,500 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — — — — 0 
			 Islington — — — — — 0 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — — — — 0 
			 Lambeth — — — — — 0 
			 Lewisham — — — — — 0 
			 Southwark — — — — — 77,700 
			 Tower Hamlets — — — — — 66,400 
			 Wandsworth — — — — — 50,100 
			 Westminster — — — — — 0 
			
			 Southampton — — — — — 0 
			
			 1998–99   
			 City of London — — — — 0 0 
			 Camden — — — — 0 215,000 
			 Greenwich — — — — 0 230,200 
			 Hackney — — — — 25,000 129,160 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — — — 0 0 
			 Islington — — — — 0 0 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — — — 0 0 
			 Lambeth — — — — 0 48,420 
			 Lewisham — — — — 0 0 
			 Southwark — — — — 0 81,900 
			 Tower Hamlets — — — — 0 127,480 
			 Wandsworth — — — — 0 84,800 
			 Westminster — — — — 0 45,120 
			
			 Southampton — — — — 0 0 
			
			 1999–2000   
			 City of London 0 5,005 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 42,000 504,530 — — 40,000 310,322 
			 Greenwich 80,500 757,839 — — 50,000 302,063 
			 Hackney 19,000 530,071 — — 50,000 398,583 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 14,000 339,756 — — 34,900 0 
			 Islington 66,505 507,719 — — 14,000 0 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 22,925 205,928 — — 12,500 0 
			 Lambeth 59,000 467,436 — — 12,000 159,824 
			 Lewisham 59,000 728,041 — — 21,000 0 
			 Southwark 72,250 730.384 — — 34,000 33,920 
			 Tower Hamlets 59,345 997,653 — — 21,000 190,960 
			 Wandsworth 15,000 51,857 — — 31,000 379,400 
			 Westminster 24,000 443,713 — — 0 85,904 
			
			 Southampton 16,000 0 — — 0 0 
		
	
	
		£
		
			 Local education authority Specialist Schools (Capital) Qualifications Work Related Learning at Key Stage 4 Enterprise Learning Pupil Learning Credits Fresh Start 
		
		
			 1997–98   
			 City of London — 0 — — — — 
			 Camden — 52,560 — — — — 
			 Greenwich — 76,200 — — — — 
			 Hackney — 20,280 — — — — 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — 38,460 — — — — 
			 Islington — 31,200 — — — — 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — 21,480 — — — — 
			 Lambeth — 21,240 — — — — 
			 Lewisham — 53,580 — — — — 
			 Southwark — 29,280 — — — — 
			 Tower Hamlets — 39,120 — — — — 
			 Wandsworth — 27,840 — — — — 
			 Westminster — 49,680 — — — — 
			
			 Southampton — 3,720 — — — — 
			
			 1998–99   
			 City of London — 0 0 — — — 
			 Camden — 46,588 23,095 — — — 
			 Greenwich — 94,457 24,875 — — — 
			 Hackney — 19,155 15,000 — — — 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — 40,723 0 — — — 
			 Islington — 53,889 0 — — — 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — 23,351 0 — — — 
			 Lambeth — 36,684 45,721 — — — 
			 Lewisham — 69,430 0 — — — 
			 Southwark — 33,704 50,000 — — — 
			 Tower Hamlets — 34,899 24,875 — — — 
			 Wandsworth — 31,214 24,750 — — — 
			 Westminster — 50,567 24,800 — — — 
			
			 Southampton  17,831 0 — — — 
			
			 1999–2000   
			 City of London — 0 0 — — — 
			 Camden — 51,591 17,322 — — — 
			 Greenwich — 49,225 18,717 — — — 
			 Hackney — 15,232 15,507 — — — 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — 36,898 18,404 — — — 
			 Islington — 22,246 18,750 — — — 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — 9,380 0 — — — 
			 Lambeth — 23,989 52,126 — — — 
			 Lewisham — 53,873 18,750 — — — 
			 Southwark — 13,447 18,750 — — — 
			 Tower Hamlets — 33,411 18,750 — — — 
			 Wandsworth — 31,045 18,750 — — — 
			 Westminster — 34,573 18,750 — — — 
			
			 Southampton — 8,176 18,750 — — — 
		
	
	
		£
		
			 Local education authority Fresh Start (Capital) London Challenge Golden Hellos School Improvement/Targeted Improvement Total for year 
		
		
			 1997–98  
			 City of London — — — — 0 
			 Camden — — — — 181,060 
			 Greenwich — — — — 214,300 
			 Hackney — — — — 67,780 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — — — 38,460 
			 Islington — — — — 31,200 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — — — 21,480 
			 Lambeth — — — — 21,240 
			 Lewisham — — — — 53,580 
			 Southwark — — — — 106,980 
			 Tower Hamlets — — — — 105,520 
			 Wandsworth — — — — 77,940 
			 Westminster — — — — 49,680 
			   
			 Southampton — — — — 3,720 
			   
			 1998–99  
			 City of London — — — — 0 
			 Camden — — — — 284,683 
			 Greenwich — — — — 349,532 
			 Hackney — — — — 188,315 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — — — 40,723 
			 Islington — — — — 53,889 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — — — 23,351 
			 Lambeth — — — — 130,825 
			 Lewisham — — — — 69,430 
			 Southwark — — — — 165,604 
			 Tower Hamlets — — — — 187,254 
			 Wandsworth — — — — 140,764 
			 Westminster — — — — 120,487 
			   
			 Southampton — — — — 17,831 
			   
			 1999–2000  
			 City of London — — — — 5,005 
			 Camden — — — — 965,765 
			 Greenwich — — — — 1,258,344 
			 Hackney — — — — 1,028,393 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — — — 443,958 
			 Islington — — — — 629,220 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — — — 250,733 
			 Lambeth — — — — 774,375 
			 Lewisham — — — — 880,664 
			 Southwark — — — — 902,751 
			 Tower Hamlets — — — — 1,321,119 
			 Wandsworth — — — — 1,027,052 
			 Westminster — — — — 606,940 
			   
			 Southampton — — — — 42,926 
		
	
	
		£
		
			 Local education authority Key Stage 3 National Strategy Excellence in Cities Leadership Incentive Grant Leading Edge Beacon Schools Specialist Schools 
		
		
			 2000–01   
			 City of London 0 0 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 71,416 1,101,700 — — 144,000 441,318 
			 Greenwich 755,010 1,670,753 — — 129,000 435,954 
			 Hackney 48,779 1,132,700 — — 75,000 391,870 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 15,142 733,450 — — 73,000 74,000 
			 Islington 103,779 1,097,600 — — 42,000 123,136 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 23,912 418,200 — — 37,500 0 
			 Lambeth 93,735 1,050,700 — — 36,000 244,402 
			 Lewisham 66,235 1,665,600 — — 57,000 0 
			 Southwark 77,872 1,582,600 — — 72,000 0 
			 Tower Hamlets 816,828 2,232,075 — — 31,000 274,592 
			 Wandsworth 38,735 1,237,350 — — 85,000 500,250 
			 Westminster 41,686 951,800 — — 54,000 96,538 
			
			 Southampton 28,373 0 — — 0 0 
			
			 2001–02   
			 City of London 0 0 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 207,977 1,101,700 — — 180,000 489,663 
			 Greenwich 721,235 1,673,879 — — 129,000 535,242 
			 Hackney 196,110 1,132,700 — — 77,000 483,590 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 188,302 720,700 — — 73,000 123,000 
			 Islington 238,510 1,115,225 — — 42,000 204,549 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 142,414 418,200 — — 37,500 0 
			 Lambeth 210,457 1,013,200 — — 36,000 294,954 
			 Lewisham 237,037 1,720,600 — — 70,000 0 
			 Southwark 248,051 1,582.600 — — 110,000 136,456 
			 Tower Hamlets 778,495 2,207,800 — — 31,000 413,138 
			 Wandsworth 199,830 1,278,600 — — 96,000 591,207 
			 Westminster 184,582 951,800 — — 81,000 169,816 
			
			 Southampton 243,604 0 — —- 0 0 
			
			 2002–03   
			 City of London 0 0 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 385,696 1,242,227 — — 197,000 495,567 
			 Greenwich 547,210 1,794,851 — — 143,000 626,331 
			 Hackney 372,899 1,209,179 — — 78,000 595,641 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 356,098 781,588 — — 76,000 123,000 
			 Islington 370,299 1,200,702 — — 44,000 205,164 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 293,438 473,008 — — 63,500 42,624 
			 Lambeth 393,704 1,094,666 — — 63,000 299,874 
			 Lewisham 420,084 1,745,369 — — 78,000 100,000 
			 Southwark 428,092 1,796,620 — — 155,200 348,524 
			 Tower Hamlets 472,103 2,373,601 — — 36,000 493,192 
			 Wandsworth 384,911 1,318,483 — — 98,000 610,769 
			 Westminster 346,686 1,018,127 — — 81,000 295,646 
			
			 Southampton 432,881 0 — — 0 74,000 
		
	
	
		£
		
			 Local education authority Specialist Schools (Capital) Qualifications Work Related Learning at Key Stage 4 Enterprise Learning Pupil Learning Credits Fresh Start 
		
		
			 2000–01   
			 City of London — 0 — — — 0 
			 Camden — 48,273 — — — 0 
			 Greenwich — 48,799 — — — 0 
			 Hackney — 16,638 — — — 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — 36,893 — — — 0 
			 Islington — 22,884 — — — 275,000 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — 11,442 — — — 0 
			 Lambeth — 23,410 — — — 0 
			 Lewisham — 50,376 — — — 52,029 
			 Southwark — 13,545 — — — 0 
			 Tower Hamlets — 36,893 — — — 0 
			 Wandsworth — 32,687 — — — 0 
			 Westminster — 36,893 — — — 0 
			
			 Southampton — 8,876 — — — 0 
			 2001–02   
			 City of London 0 0 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 0 4,948 — — 236,588 0 
			 Greenwich 0 6,927 — — 408,755 0 
			 Hackney 100,000 4,453 — — 476,620 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 3,958 — — 292,183 0 
			 Islington 0 4,453 — — 474,414 255,000 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 1,979 — — 84,496 0 
			 Lambeth 0 4,948 — — 412,145 0 
			 Lewisham 0 6,432 — — 494,542 275,000 
			 Southwark 100,000 5,937 — — 781,612 0 
			 Tower Hamlets 100,000 7,422 — — 1,361,672 0 
			 Wandsworth 0 4,453 — — 188,581 0 
			 Westminster 100,000 3,958 — — 232,713 0 
			
			 Southampton 0 6,927 — — 0 0 
			 2002–03   
			 City of London 0 0 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 0 4,426 — — 318,170 0 
			 Greenwich 0 6,197 — — 549,705 0 
			 Hackney 0 3,984 — — 640,972 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 3,541 — — 392,936 0 
			 Islington 0 3,984 — — 638,005 485,000 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 1,771 — — 113,632 0 
			 Lambeth 0 4,426 — — 554,264 0 
			 Lewisham 0 5,754 — — 597,112 0 
			 Southwark 100,000 5,754 — — 1,051,134 0 
			 Tower Hamlets 100,000 6,639 — — 1,831,215 0 
			 Wandsworth 0 3,984 — — 253,610 0 
			 Westminster 0 3,541 — — 312,959 0 
			
			 Southampton 100,000 6,197 — — 0 0 
		
	
	
		£
		
			 Local education authority Fresh Start (Capital) London Challenge Golden Hellos School Improvement/Targeted Improvement Total for year 
		
		
			 2000–01  
			 City of London 0 — 0 — 0 
			 Camden 0 — 11,002 — 1,817,709 
			 Greenwich 0 — 0 — 3,039,516 
			 Hackney 0 — 8,220 — 1,673,207 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 — 11,220 — 943,705 
			 Islington 0 — 2,702 — 1,667,101 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 — 13,650 — 504,704 
			 Lambeth 0 — 2,500 — 1,450,747 
			 Lewisham 65,000 — 19,504 — 1,975,744 
			 Southwark 0 — 0 — 1,746,017 
			 Tower Hamlets 0 — 7,500 — 3,398,888 
			 Wandsworth 0 — 0 — 1,894,022 
			 Westminster 0 — 0 — 1,180,917 
			   
			 Southampton 0 — 44,117 — 81,366 
			 2001–02  
			 City of London 0 — 0 0 0 
			 Camden 0 — 26,022 46,000 2,292,898 
			 Greenwich 0 — 0 21,000 3,496,038 
			 Hackney 0 — 0 17,500 2,487,973 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 — 0 177,000 1,578,143 
			 Islington 700,000 — 8,862 58,000 3,101,013 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 — 0 0 684,589 
			 Lambeth 0 — 0 16,500 1,988,204 
			 Lewisham 20,000 — 0 28,000 2,851,611 
			 Southwark 0 — 0 92,500 3,057,156 
			 Tower Hamlets 0 — 7,079 87,000 4,993,606 
			 Wandsworth 0 — 37,500 14,000 2,410,171 
			 Westminster 0 — 0 16,500 1,740,369 
			   
			 Southampton 0 — 0 14,000 264,531 
			 2002–03  
			 City of London — — 32,038 0 32,038 
			 Camden — — 160,191 140,250 2,943,527 
			 Greenwich — — 446,743 273,942 4,387,979 
			 Hackney — — 309,702 194,692 3,405,069 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — 245,626 277,000 2,255,789 
			 Islington — — 138,832 229.620 3,315,606 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — 138,832 2,000 1,128,805 
			 Lambeth — — 96,115 176,500 2,682,549 
			 Lewisham — — 299.023 502,000 3,747,342 
			 Southwark — — 256,306 460,750 4,602,380 
			 Tower Hamlets — — 465,855 325,371 6,103,976 
			 Wandsworth — — 245,626 137.500 3,052,883 
			 Westminster — — 128,153 131,800 2,317,912 
			   
			 Southampton —  170,870 314,000 1,097,948 
		
	
	
		£
		
			 Local education authority Key Stage 3 National Strategy Excellence in Cities Leadership Incentive Grant Leading Edge Beacon Schools Specialist Schools 
		
		
			 2003–04   
			 City of London 500 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Camden 473,883 1,878,129 1,125,000 46,000 135,500 617,140 
			 Greenwich 629,339 3,161,448 1,750,000 0 152,000 751,597 
			 Hackney 519,081 2,055,922 1,125,000 0 78,000 747,352 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 473,735 1,314,399 1,000,000 0 78,000 196,835 
			 Islington 528,563 2,381,203 1,125,000 0 45,000 297,181 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 393,485 889,300 500,000 0 76,500 155,064 
			 Lambeth 502,234 1,759,780 1,250,000 0 76,500 432,618 
			 Lewisham 582,394 3,556,588 1,500,000 0 83,500 211,014 
			 Southwark 609,676 2,752,892 1,625,000 49,000 92,000 496,768 
			 Tower Hamlets 667,689 3,650,228 2,000,000 130,000 0 692,818 
			 Wandsworth 521,481 1,841,970 1,125,000 0 101,000 767,530 
			 Westminster 460,687 1,065,504 1,000,000 0 83,000 381,412 
			
			 Southampton 575,840 0 625,000 0 0 315,152 
			
			 2004–05   
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Camden 477,643 1,879,133 1,170,000 60,000 97,500 788,652 
			 Greenwich 687,260 3,194,667 1,820,000 0 129,000 875,753 
			 Hackney 494,815 2,268,056 1,094,167 0 51,000 768,096 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 456,012 1,401,983 1,040,000 0 78,000 289,790 
			 Islington 523,894 2,483,301 1,170,000 120,000 15,000 507,050 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 379,009 716,872 520,000 0 76,500 232,276 
			 Lambeth 524,275 1,995,001 1,300,000 0 76,500 641,236 
			 Lewisham 641,621 3,844,622 1,560,000 0 57,000 553,570 
			 Southwark 641,749 3,214,572 1,690,000 100,000 27,000 636,204 
			 Tower Hamlets 655,941 3,762,326 2,080,000 181,000 0 747,278 
			 Wandsworth 595,125 1,915,649 1,170,000 40,000 77,000 926,156 
			 Westminster 440,701 1,118,524 1,040,000 0 28,000 417,596 
			
			 Southampton 582,035 0 910,000 0 0 737,018 
		
	
	
		£
		
			  Specialist Schools (Capital) Qualifications Work Related Learning at Key Stage 4 Enterprise Learning Pupil Learning Credits Fresh Start 
		
		
			 2003–04   
			 City of London 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Camden 0 — — 5,300 — 0 
			 Greenwich 0 — — 33,548 — 0 
			 Hackney 0 — — 185,000 — 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Islington 0 — — 0 — 235,000 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Lambeth 0 — — 15,000 — 0 
			 Lewisham 200,000 — — 10,200 — 0 
			 Southwark 0 — — 30,000 — 0 
			 Tower Hamlets 100,000 — — 63,500 — 0 
			 Wandsworth 100,000 — — 16,010 — 0 
			 Westminster 0 — — 67,528 — 0 
			
			 Southampton 100,000 — — 0 — 0 
			
			 2004–05   
			 City of London 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Camden 200,000 — — 0 — 0 
			 Greenwich 0 — — 130,000 — 0 
			 Hackney 0 — — 185,000 — 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 200,000 — — 18,000 — 0 
			 Islington 300,000 — — 0 — 950,000 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Lambeth 100,000 — — 15,000 — 0 
			 Lewisham 300,000 — — 10,200 — 85,000 
			 Southwark 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Tower Hamlets 0 — — 210,500 — 0 
			 Wandsworth 0 — — 75,000 — 0 
			 Westminster 0 — — 67,828 — 0 
			
			 Southampton 300,000 — — 0 — 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Local education authority Fresh Start (Capital) London Challenge Golden Hellos School Improvement/Targeted Improvement Total for year 
		
		
			 2003–04  
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 500 
			 Camden 0 264,628 76,773 16,750 4,639,103 
			 Greenwich 0 469,070 201,724 276,100 7,424,826 
			 Hackney 0 720,962 52,470 107,805 5,591,592 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 737,006 8,526 196,000 4,004,501 
			 Islington 250,000 346,340 37,120 119,200 5,364,607 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 86,555 0 6,000 2,106,904 
			 Lambeth 0 196,635 0 46,000 4,278,767 
			 Lewisham 0 440,608 90,240 66,000 6,740,544 
			 Southwark 0 316,015 32,000 80,130 6,083,481 
			 Tower Hamlets 0 455,763 66,332 334,563 8,160,893 
			 Wandsworth 0 239,417 0 52,000 4,764,408 
			 Westminster 0 203,521 44,584 55,900 3,362,136 
			   
			 Southampton 0 0 0 443,000 2,058,992 
			   
			 2004–05  
			 City of London — 0 0 0 0 
			 Camden — 297,388 80,788 15,950 5,067,054 
			 Greenwich — 731,726 51,504 103,250 7,723,160 
			 Hackney — 1,372,292 26,594 47,500 6,307,520 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — 261,626 43,720 108,500 3,897,632 
			 Islington — 579,113 116,000 67,500 6,831,858 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — 88,995 0 6,000 2,019,652 
			 Lambeth — 497,397 121,824 46,000 5,317,233 
			 Lewisham — 730,199 36,000 66,000 7,884,213 
			 Southwark — 790,171 0 80,125 7,179,821 
			 Tower Hamlets — 539,311 105,839 68,000 8,350,195 
			 Wandsworth — 773,322 19,467 52,000 5,643,719 
			 Westminster — 325,462 71,335 56,050 3,565,496 
			   
			 Southampton — 0 0 181,000 2,710,053 
		
	
	Notes:
	'—' Indicates the grant did not exist that year.
	'0' Indicates the grant did exist that year but the LEA did not receive an allocation.

Inner-London Education

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list each (a) specialist school and (b) city academy in each inner London local education authority; and on what date each opened.

Jacqui Smith: There are some 79 operational specialist schools within the inner London local education authorities, together with five academies. There are a further eight schools designated for the award of specialist status from 1 September 2005. These schools are listed below:
	
		Inner London specialist schools
		
			 Authority name School name Date became specialist 
		
		
			 Camden William Ellis School 1 September 1997 
			 Camden Hampstead School 1 September 1997 
			 Camden Parliament Hill School 1 September 1999 
			 Camden Acland Burghley School 1 September 2000 
			 Camden Haverstock School 1 September 2003 
			 Camden South Camden Community School 1 September 2004 
			 Camden La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School 1 September 2004 
			 Hackney Homerton College of Technology 1 September 1997 
			 Hackney Haggerston School 1 September 1998 
			 Hackney Our Lady's Convent Roman Catholic High School 1 September 1999 
			 Hackney Clapton Girls' Technology College 1 September 1999 
			 Hackney Stoke Newington School 1 September 2001 
			 Hackney Hackney Free and Parochial C of E Secondary School Specialist Sports College 1 September 2002 
			 Hackney The Skinners' Company's School for Girls 1 September 2003 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Hurlingham and Chelsea Secondary School 1 September 2000 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Lady Margaret School 1 September 2003 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Fulham Cross Secondary School 1 September 2004 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Phoenix High School 1 September 2004 
			 Haringey Fortismere School 1 September 1997 
			 Haringey Hornsey School for Girls 1 September 2002 
			 Haringey Highgate Wood Secondary School 1 September 2002 
			 Haringey St. Thomas More RC School 1 September 2002 
			 Haringey Gladesmore Community School 1 September 2003 
			 Haringey White Hart Lane Secondary School 1 September 2004 
			 Haringey Park View Academy 1 September 2004 
			 Haringey Alexandra Park School 1 September 2004 
			 Islington Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language College 1 September 2000 
			 Islington Mount Carmel RC Technology College for Girls 1 September 2000 
			 Islington Central Foundation Boys' School 1 September 2003 
			 Islington Highbury Grove School 1 September 2004 
			 Islington Highbury Fields School 1 September 2004 
			 Islington Islington Arts and Media School 1 September 2004 
			 Kensington and Chelsea Sion-Manning RC School for Girls 1 September 2002 
			 Kensington and Chelsea The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School 1 September 2003 
			 Kensington and Chelsea Saint Thomas More RC School 1 September 2004 
			 Lambeth St. Martin in the Fields High School for Girls 1 September 1996 
			 Lambeth Charles Edward Brooke School 1 September 1998 
			 Lambeth Dunraven School 1 September 2000 
			 Lambeth Archbishop Tenison's School 1 September 2003 
			 Lambeth London Nautical School 1 September 2003 
			 Lambeth Stockwell Park School 1 September 2004 
			 Lambeth La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls1 School 1 September 2004 
			 Lewisham Catford Girls' School 1 September 2003 
			 Lewisham Sydenham School 1 September 2003 
			 Lewisham Sedgehill School 1 September 2004 
			 Lewisham Forest Hill School 1 September 2004 
			 Lewisham Deptford Green School 1 September 2004 
			 Newham St. Bonaventure's RC School 1 September 1994 
			 Newham St. Angela's Ursuline Convent School 1 September 1995 
			 Newham Langdon School 1 September 1998 
			 Newham Lister Community School 1 September 2001 
			 Newham Eastlea Community School 1 September 2001 
			 Newham Sarah Bonnell School 1 September 2003 
			 Newham Cumberland School 1 September 2003 
			 Newham Forest Gate Community School 1 September 2004 
			 Southwark Geoffrey Chaucer Technology College 1 September 2001 
			 Southwark Archbishop Michael Ramsey Technology College 1 September 2001 
			 Southwark St. Michael's RC School 1 September 2002 
			 Southwark Notre Dame Roman Catholic Girls' School 1 September 2003 
			 Southwark Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Secondary School 1 September 2003 
			 Southwark The St. Thomas the Apostle College 1 September 2004 
			 Southwark St. Saviour's and St. Olave's Church of England School 1 September 2004 
			 Southwark Waverley School 1 September 2004 
			 Tower Hamlets Bethnal Green Technology College 1 September 1996 
			 Tower Hamlets St. Paul's Way Community School 1 September 1998 
			 Tower Hamlets Sir John Cass Foundation and Redcoat C of E Secondary School 1 September 2000 
			 Tower Hamlets Central Foundation Girls(52) School 1 September 2001 
			 Tower Hamlets Swanlea School 1 September 2002 
			 Tower Hamlets Oaklands School 1 September 2003 
			 Wandsworth Graveney School 1 September 1995 
			 Wandsworth Chestnut Grove School 1 September 1997 
			 Wandsworth Elliott School 1 September 1997 
			 Wandsworth Ernest Bevin College 1 September 2000 
			 Wandsworth Southfields Community College 1 September 2000 
			 Wandsworth Burntwood School 1 September 2003 
			 Westminster The St. Marylebone C of E School 1 September 1998 
			 Westminster Quintin Kynaston School 1 September 2001 
			 Westminster The Grey Coat Hospital 1 September 2002 
			 Westminster St. Augustine's C of E High School 1 September 2004 
		
	
	
		Inner London schools—Designated for specialist status
		
			 Authority name School name Date to become specialist 
		
		
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Sacred Heart High School 1 September 2005 
			 Lambeth Norwood School 1 September 2005 
			 Lambeth Lilian Baylis School 1 September 2005 
			 Newham Brampton Manor School 1 September 2005 
			 Southwark The Charter School 1 September 2005 
			 Southwark Kingsdale Secondary School 1 September 2005 
			 Tower Hamlets Stepney Green School 1 September 2005 
			 Tower Hamlets Langdon Park Community School 1 September 2005 
		
	
	
		Inner London academies
		
			 Authority name Academy name Date opened as academy 
		
		
			 Hackney Mossbourne Community Academy 1 September 2004 
			 Haringey Greig City Academy, Haringey 6 November 2002 
			 Lambeth Lambeth Academy 1 September 2004 
			 Southwark City of London Academy (Southwark) 2 June 2003 
			 Southwark The Academy of Peckham 3 June 2003

In-service Teacher Training

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department is taking to improve in-service training for teachers.

Jacqui Smith: The Government are driving up demand from teachers and schools for high-quality training by building professional development into each of the four main stages in the career ladder for teachers; and by refocusing annual teacher appraisals as teaching and learning reviews, which will identify professional development needs and effective ways of meeting them. The Teacher Training Agency will keep the supply and quality of teachers' professional development under review and where practicable, intervene to broker improvements locally.

Mathematics (Primary Schools)

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the teaching of multiplication tables by rote in primary schools.

Jacqui Smith: The teaching of multiplication tables is an important part of the guidance offered to schools by the Primary National Strategy. One of its key objectives is that all pupils should know by heart all multiplication facts up to 1010.
	It is for schools to determine the best approaches to use to achieve this, given the individual learning needs of their pupils.

Ministerial Visits

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to visit Hammersmith and Fulham.

Maria Eagle: I have no plans at present to visit Hammersmith and Fulham.

Ministerial Visits

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to visit Coventry, South.

Maria Eagle: I have no plans at present to visit Coventry, South.

Modern Apprenticeships

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of young people started a Modern Apprenticeship by age 22 in 2004.

Jacqui Smith: 24.5 percent of young people started an Apprenticeship for the first time in 2003/04. This is the most recent assessment available.
	The Department has a PSA target for at least 28 per cent. of young people to start an Apprenticeship by age 22 by 2004. This is based on starts in the 2004/05 academic year. The target outturn will be reported by December 2005.

Out-of-Hours Learning

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her estimate is of the proportion of schools that have drawn up home-school agreements asrequired by the School Standards Framework Act 1998.

Jacqui Smith: We expect all maintained schools to have a home-school agreement in place.

Primary Schools

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Education and Skills whether a primary school's added value is taken into account when decisions are made regarding school closures and surplus places.

Jacqui Smith: Since 1998 decisions on the organisation of school places have been taken by local School Organisation Committees (SOCs) or, where the SOC cannot reach a unanimous decision, the schools adjudicator.
	In making their decision, the SOC and schools adjudicator must have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State. This sets out a range of factors that must be considered, including whether the proposals will improve standards, particularly at those schools which are the subject of proposals. When considering this aspect of the proposals, the SOC or the adjudicator have a range of indicators available to them including recent Ofsted reports and the autumn package of performance data which includes schools' value added measures.

Primary Schools

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will take steps to prevent the closure by Education Leeds of Miles Hill and Fir Tree primary schools.

Jacqui Smith: The responsibility for maintaining adequate and appropriate school provision rests with local authorities and Ministers have no direct involvement in decisions to reorganise schools. The Government introduced statutory procedures under the School Standards and Framework Act (SSFA) 1998 to ensure that the views of local people, and those directly affected by school organisational changes, are heard. These procedures include a requirement on local authorities to consult locally and publish statutory proposals should they wish to proceed with closure, or other significant change to education provision. School Organisation Committees are independent of local authorities and Ministers, and take decisions about school closures when local objections to statutory proposals have been made. I understand that Education Leeds is currently consulting on proposals to reorganise primary school provision across the area and that further decisions will be necessary from the Council's Executive Board before the question of issuing statutory notices arises.

Primary Schools

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  when the criteria for rebuilding primary schools will be announced;
	(2)  whether Building Schools for the Future will be used as the template for the Department's plan to refurbish primary schools.

Jacqui Smith: In his March 2005 Budget, the Chancellor announced that in 2008–09, an additional £150 million of capital will be provided to renew primary school buildings in England, which will rise to £500 million in 2009–10. This funding is additional to the annual investment in schools of £6.3 billion which we will provide by 2006–07, and is to support our aim of rebuilding or renewing up to half of all primary schools in England in around 15 years from then.
	I am still considering this programme, including issues such as criteria, and I aim to announce further details later this year. This new investment should transform primary schools, renew decayed and unsuitable buildings, and provide the wrap-around and extended school provision for our children that is at the heart of Every Child Matters". Like Building Schools for the Future, our primary schools programme will drive reform of the primary system and improvements in educational standards, provide good places for teachers to teach and pupils to learn, which are used by the community, and which are well designed and built on time and at a reasonable cost to the taxpayer.

School Discipline

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will include a representative of children as a stakeholder group in the Leadership Group on Pupil Behaviour and Discipline to be chaired by SirAlan Steer.

Jacqui Smith: There will not be a pupil representative on the group itself but the group will be receiving representations from children and young people.

School Discipline

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what powers her Department has given to headteachers to maintain (a) discipline and (b) standards of conduct since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Headteachers have extensive powers to make and enforce rules for pupils' behaviour, including powers to apply a wide range of sanctions up to and including exclusion from school. We have further strengthened headteachers' authority by:
	reforming exclusion appeal panels to strike a better balance between the interests of the individual and those of the school as a whole; and
	giving them powers to make parenting contracts with the parents of badly behaved and truanting pupils and issue penalty notices to the parents of truants.
	In addition, we have given schools access to high-quality behaviour management training materials and advice from expert behaviour management consultants.
	Further, the Department is working with the Home Office on the recently introduced Violent Crime Reduction Bill. Clause 35 of the Bill will provide headteachers and other members of staff with the power to search pupils for knives.
	The Department recently announced a new Leadership Group to look into the problems of poor behaviour and indiscipline in schools. One of the issues that the group will cover is the possible expansion of headteachers' powers.

School Discipline

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what definition she uses of low level disruption.

Jacqui Smith: There is no formal definition within the Department of low level disruption. The HMCI report for 2003–04 refers to 'incessant chatter, calling out, inattention and other forms of nuisance that irritate staff and interrupt learning' as 'the most common forms of misbehaviour'. Although it does not define these as low level disruption the context makes it clear that this is what is meant.

School Governance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations her Department has received on the structure of school governing bodies.

Jacqui Smith: From 1 September 2003 new arrangements allowed governing bodies to determine their own size and composition within a framework of guiding principles based on a stakeholder model. We have regular discussions with representatives of the two national organisations representing school governors.

School Independence

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria will be used to determine which schools will gain greater independence.

Jacqui Smith: The Government have set out plans for enabling all secondary schools, except those which are failing, to gain greater independence by acquiring foundation status. A failing school is a school which is subject to a warning notice from the local authority; has serious weaknesses; is in special measures; or has had its delegated budget suspended. It will be for the governing bodies of individual schools to decide whether to acquire foundation status, taking into account the views of parents and other stakeholders. The Government's manifesto contains a commitment to enable primary schools to acquire foundation status more easily, and we will set out our proposals for primary schools in due course.

School Meals

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much she plans to make available to schools in Coventry, South to improve school meals over the next three years; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08, all maintained schools in England will receive a share of the £220 million set aside to help local education authorities and schools strengthen their support for healthy eating and to provide better quality food. Of this, £30 million each year will go to schools to help meet transitional costs involved in developing andimproving their whole school" approach to food. £30/50/50 million will go to LEAs to enable them to support schools with this process, with an emphasis on schools in deprived areas and schools starting from a low base.
	The first instalment of this additional funding will be available to schools and LEAs this autumn. Further details about the distribution of both grants between individual local authorities and schools will be announced in due course.

School Meals

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average spending per meal per pupil for school meals was in (a) the London borough of Haringey and (b) England in the last period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not currently collected centrally.

School Meals

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when (a) Haringey local education authority and (b) schools in the London borough of Haringey council area are expected to receive extra funding to improve school meals; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08, all maintained schools in England will receive a share of the £220 million set aside to help local education authorities and schools strengthen their support for healthy eating and to provide better quality food. Of this, £30 million each year will go to schools to help meet transitional costs involved in developing andimproving their whole school" approach to food. £30/50/50 million will go to LEAs to enable them to support schools with this process, with an emphasis on schools in deprived areas and schools starting from a low base.
	The first instalment of this additional funding will be available to schools and LEAs this autumn. Further details about the distribution of both grants between individual local authorities and schools will be announced in due course.

School Meals

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average spending per pupil per meal for school meals was in (a) England and (b) Tamworth in the last period for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not currently collected centrally.

School Meals

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when (a) Staffordshire local education authority and (b) schools in Tamworth are expected to receive extra funding to improve school meals.

Jacqui Smith: Over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08, all maintained schools in England will receive a share of the £220 million set aside to help local education authorities and schools strengthen their support for healthy eating and to provide better quality food. Of this, £30 million each year will go to schools to help meet transitional costs involved in developing andimproving their whole school" approach to food. £30/50/50 million will go to LEAs to enable them to support schools with this process, with an emphasis on schools in deprived areas and schools starting from a low base.
	The first instalment of this additional funding will be available to schools and LEAs this autumn. Further details about the distribution of both grants between individual local authorities and schools will be announced in due course.

School Meals

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the expenditure on (a) capital equipment and alterations and (b) re-training necessary to meet higher nutritional standards in schools; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Government are investing £5.5billion in 2005–06, rising to £6.3 billion in 2007–08 to improve school buildings. This will include £1 billion allocated directly to schools for their priority needs. Decisions on how to prioritise investment are made locally through the asset management planning process, which should reflect government aims as well as local needs. The Building Schools for the Future programme aims to bring all secondary schools to 21st century standard, including kitchen and dining facilities. Additional funding of £650 million for primary schools has already been announced for 2008–09 and 2009–10, and further details of this programme will be announced later this year.
	Every school is allocated money to improve its building each year, which can be spent on kitchen and dining facilities. Devolved Formula Capital guidance for 2005–06 makes clear the priority attached to schools making plans to provide at least one hot meal a day on the premises, and for this to be eaten in reasonable comfort in suitable dining facilities.
	There are also funds specifically earmarked for the refurbishment of school kitchens in Voluntary Aided (VA) schools. This results from the reform of liabilities and funding arrangements at VA schools in 2002, when their governing bodies took on responsibility for some buildings (including kitchens) which were previously the responsibility of local education authorities.
	The Secretary of State recently announced that over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08 £220 million new funding grants will be given direct to schools and local education authorities. These grants are part of a wider package to improve the quality of school meals. Decisions on spending these grants will be made at local level, but we have already made clear the importance we attach to school catering staff being given the knowledge and skills they need to deliver a healthier school meals service.

School Meals

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average spending per meal per pupil for school meals in the county of Durham has been in each year since 1999.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not currently collected centrally.

School Meals

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will publish nutritional standards for school meals in (a) secondary schools, (b) primary schools and (c) nurseries; and whether she expects these standards to be enforced through legislation.

Jacqui Smith: An expert panel has been convened to advise the Government on how best to meet their commitment in the Public Health White Paper to improve school food, through the revision of school meals standards. The panel has been asked to produce draft minimum standards to be rolled out to secondary schools from September 2005, with those for primary schools following shortly afterwards. The final version of the standards will become mandatory from September 2006. We are currently considering whether nursery school standards should be similarly revised.
	Once the school lunch standards have been considered, the panel will then set about looking at how the standards could apply to other food and drink on school premises e.g. vending machines and tuck shops. Any extended standards will need to be enshrined in regulations as are the current standards.

School Meals

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will publish details of the formulae for distributing to (a) local education authorities and (b) schools the funding to improve school meals announced on 30 March.

Jacqui Smith: Over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08, all maintained schools in England will receive a share of the £220 million set aside to help local education authorities and schools strengthen their support for healthy eating and to provide better quality food. Of this, £30 million each year will go to schools to help meet transitional costs involved in developing andimproving their whole school" approach to food. £30/50/50 million will go to LEAs to enable them to support schools with this process, with an emphasis on schools in deprived areas and schools starting from a low base.
	The first instalment of this additional funding will be available to schools and LEAs this autumn. Further details about the distribution of both grants between individual local authorities and schools will be announced over the summer.

School Meals

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria are used for allocating capital funding to (a) build and (b) refit school kitchens.

Jacqui Smith: The Government are investing £5.5billion in 2005–06, rising to £6.3 billion in 2007–08 to improve school buildings, including kitchen and dining facilities. Much of this funding is allocated to schools and authorities by needs-related formula. Decisions on how to prioritise investment are made locally through the asset management planning process, which should reflect Government aims as well as local needs, based on a survey of all school buildings.
	The Building Schools for the Future programme aims to bring all secondary schools to 21st century standard, including kitchen and dining facilities. Additional funding of £650 million for primary schools has already been announced for 2008–09 and 2009–10, and further details of this programme will be announced later this year.
	By 2006–07, school funding will include £1 billion allocated directly to schools for their priority needs, which can be spent on kitchen and dining facilities. Our current guidance on schools' devolved formula capital makes clear the priority attached to schools making plans to provide at least one hot meal a day on the premises, and for this to be eaten in reasonable comfort in suitable dining facilities.
	There are also funds specifically earmarked for the refurbishment of school kitchens in voluntary Aided (VA) schools. This results from the reform of liabilities and funding arrangements at VA schools in 2002, when their governing bodies took on responsibility for some buildings (including kitchens) which were previously the responsibility of local education authorities.

School Places (Staffordshire)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she plans to take to assist parents who fail to get their children into any of their chosen schools in Staffordshire; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: 98 per cent. of parents applying for Staffordshire primary schools, and 95 per cent. applying for secondary schools were allocated their most preferred school. All parents have been offered a school place. Parents who are not satisfied have the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. This gives them an important opportunity to have their case heard by an independent body who will consider objectively the evidence from the admission authority and the parents before reaching a final decision.

School Sport

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 345–6W, on school sport, (a) what percentage of schools in a school sport partnership responded to the survey and (b) what percentage of schools are in a school sport partnership.

Jacqui Smith: At the time that the 2003/04 survey was conducted 8,105 schools, 34 per cent. of all schools in England, were within a school sport partnership. In total, 6,547 schools took part in the survey, which represents a high 81 per cent. response rate.

School Support Staff

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she proposes to take to broaden the range of support staff working in schools.

Jacqui Smith: More support staff undertaking a wider range of tasks and responsibilities in schools is one of the key components of school work force reform. The importance of the role of support staff is illustrated by the range of partners that signed the National Agreement on Raising Standards and Tackling Workload. There are now over 263,000 full time equivalent support staff in England, an increase of almost 130,000 since 1997.

School Transport

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will provide additional funds for the provision of school transport to Herefordshire council; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Secretary of State has no plans to provide additional funds to Herefordshire council for the provision of school transport.
	In the 2005–06 Education Formula Spending Share (EPS) settlement, Herefordshire's LEA allocation was £12.8 million: 14.5 per cent. of its total EPS settlement, compared with a national average of 11.4 per cent. This was £100 per resident pupil (26 per cent.) more than was allocated to an average LEA in 2005–06, due to the rural nature of the county.

School Transport

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the trial Yellow School Bus schemes; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans she has to widen trial areas for Yellow School buses; if she will establish a national school bus scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Department for Education and Skills is currently considering options for taking forward the Government's commitment to support innovation in home to school transport.
	A small number of local authorities operate limited yellow bus schemes for home to school transport. The Department for Transport conducted an evaluation of these schemes in 2003, which suggested that well-designed dedicated bus schemes can help reduce car dependency for the journey to school. The Department for Transport has provided £18.7 million to support a large-scale pilot of yellow buses in West Yorkshire. The first phase of this pilot started in autumn 2004, and it will be extended in 2005 and again in 2006. DfT will be working with West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive to evaluate the impact of this large scale pilot.

Schools (Special Measures)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools placed in special measures by Ofsted were situated within the most deprived 20 per cent. of wards according to the Government's index of deprivation in each of the past 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: My Department is collating the information requested and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible, and place a copy in the Library.

Schools Funding

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the per capita pupil funding in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) the London borough of Haringey and (ii) Greater London (A) is in 2005–06 and (B) has been in each of the last five years; what assessment she has made of differences between the figures; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The figures requested for Haringey and Greater Londonin the table. Total funding includes funding via education formula spending/standard spending assessment and revenue grants allocated at an LEA level. For comparability with previous years the real terms figures exclude the pensions transfer to EFS and the Learning and Skills Council from 2003–04. This transfer is included in the cash terms figures. The principal reason why funding for Haringey is greater than the London average is the high level of deprivation in Haringey.
	
		Average funding per pupil (£)
		
			  2005 to 2006 cash terms, including pensions transfer to EFS and LSC 
			  LEA Primary (3 to 10-year-olds) Secondary (11 to 15-year-olds) 
		
		
			 Haringey 4,980 6,290 
			 London 4,690 5,720 
		
	
	
		Average funding per pupil (£)
		
			  Real terms, excluding pensions transfer to EFS and LSC 2003- 04 to 2005–06 
			  Haringey Primary (3 to 10-year-olds) Secondary (11 to 15-year- olds) 
		
		
			 2000–01 3,690 5,040 
			 2001–02 3,970 5,380 
			 2002–03 4,100 5,450 
			 2003–04 4,300 5,760 
			 2004–05 4,510 5,980 
			 2005–06 4,680 5,920 
		
	
	
		Average funding per pupil (£)
		
			  Real terms, excluding pensions transfer to EFS and LSC 2003 to 2004 2005 to 2006 
			  Greater London Primary (3 to 10-year-olds) Secondary (11 to 15-year- olds) 
		
		
			 2000–01 3,430 4,500 
			 2001–02 3,640 4,800 
			 2002–03 3,760 4,900 
			 2003–04 4,000 5,010 
			 2004–05 4,190 5,240 
			 2005–06 4,400 5,370 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Price base: Cash terms, and Real terms at 2003–04 prices, based on GDP deflators as at 23.03.05
	2.Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of education SSA/EFS settlements and exclude the pensions transfer to EPS and LSC.
	3.Total funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES departmental expenditure limits relevant to pupils aged 3 to 10 and 11 to15, and exclude EMAs and grants not allocated at LEA level. For those LEAs in receipt of advance of grant under the transitional support arrangements for 2004–05, advance grant funding is included in the year of payment (2004–05). There will be a consequential reduction in DfES grant for these LEAs in future years (either 2006–07 and 2007–08 or 2006–07 to 2008–09, depending on the terms on which the advance was given to the LEA).
	4.The pupil numbers used to convert £ million figures to per pupil are those underlying the SSA/EFS settlement calculations plus PLASC 3-year-old maintained pupils and estimated 3 to 4-year-olds funded through state support in maintained and other educational institutions where these are not included in the SSA pupil numbers
	5.Figures are rounded to the nearest pound.
	2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 figures are provisional as some grants have not yet been Status: finalised/audited.

Sex Education

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make sex and relationships education a compulsory part of the school curriculum.

Jacqui Smith: Sex and relationship education (SRE) is compulsory in all maintained secondary schools and discretionary in primary schools. Sex education is included in statutory science lessons which all pupils receive.
	Parents can withdraw their child from some or all SRE lessons except those which form part of the science curriculum.

Sexually-transmitted Diseases

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government are taking to raise awareness of sexually-transmitted diseases in schools.

Maria Eagle: The Department's Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) guidance requires schools to teach about sexual health and sexually transmitted infections. Through SRE, pupils learn about sexual health and are helped to clarify their knowledge of sexually transmitted infections in order that they can negotiate safer sex and understand what is risky behaviour and what is not. Pupils should be made aware of how sexually transmitted infections can be prevented, diagnosed and treated and the range of support services available.

Special Educational Needs

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in each city academy were classed as having special educational needs on the last date for which figures are available; and what proportion of each school's intake that figure represents.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		Academies: number and percentage of pupils with special educational needs (SEN)—Position in January each year 2004 and 2005 (provisional)—England
		
			2004 
			Pupils with statements of SEN Pupils with SEN without statements 
			  Establishment name LEA name Number Percentage(53) Number Percentage(54) 
		
		
			 134225 The Academy at Peckham Southwark 44 4.5 407 41.2 
			 134223 The King's Academy Middlesbrough 90 8.7 222 21.4 
			 134222 City of London Academy (Southwark) Southwark 16 9.0 0 0.0 
			 133769 The Business Academy Bexley Bexley 39 4.7 420 50.2 
			 134226 Capital City Academy Brent 21 2.5 241 28.7 
			 134369 West London Academy Eating 14 1.8 234 30.0 
			 133386 Greig City Academy, Haringey Haringey 5 0.7 186 25.2 
			 133697 Walsall Academy Walsall 15 3.3 23 5.1 
			 134224 Manchester Academy Manchester 9 1.3 87 12.7 
			 134221 The City Academy Bristol Bristol City of 46 4.2 299 27.5 
			 133768 Unity City Academy Middlesbrough 33 2.9 333 29.6 
			 134253 Djanogly City Academy Nottingham Nottingham (55)— (55)— 345 23.3 
			 134693 Mossboume Community Academy Hackney (56)— (56)— (56)— (56)— 
			 134798 London Academy Bamet (56)—  (56)— (56)— 
			 134797 Stockley Academy Hillingdon (56)— (56)— (56)— (56)— 
			 134814 Northampton Academy Northamptonshire (56)— (56)— (56)— (56)— 
			 134815 Lambeth Academy Lambeth (56)— (56)— (56)— (56)— 
		
	
	
		
			2005(provisional)(52) 
			Pupils with statements of SEN Pupils with SEN without statements 
			  Establishment name LEA name Number Percentage(53) Number Percentage(54) 
		
		
			 134225 The Academy at Peckham Southwark 40 3.6 450 41.3 
			 134223 The King's Academy Middlesbrough 100 9.1 240 23.4 
			 134222 City of London Academy (Southwark) Southwark 20 6.1 50 12.7 
			 133769 The Business Academy Bexley Bexley 80 5.5 590 42.4 
			 134226 Capital City Academy Brent 20 2.2 230 24.7 
			 134369 West London Academy Eating 30 2.3 320 28.7 
			 133386 Greig City Academy, Haringey Haringey 10 0.7 180 25.4 
			 133697 Walsall Academy Walsall 20 2.7 30 4.8 
			 134224 Manchester Academy Manchester 10 1.0 100 13.3 
			 134221 The City Academy Bristol Bristol City of 40 3.7 270 24.3 
			 133768 Unity City Academy Middlesbrough 30 2.8 360 31.9 
			 134253 Djanogly City Academy Nottingham Nottingham (55)— (55)— 420 26.3 
			 134693 Mossboume Community Academy Hackney 10 4.1 40 19.3 
			 134798 London Academy Bamet 50 4.4 410 33.9 
			 134797 Stockley Academy Hillingdon 20 3.2 170 29.7 
			 134814 Northampton Academy Northamptonshire 30 2.7 330 26.4 
			 134815 Lambeth Academy Lambeth 10 6.5 20 8.2 
		
	
	(52)Provisional figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	(53)The number of pupils with statements of SEN expressed as a percentage of all pupils (excluding dually registered pupils).
	(54)The number of pupils with SEN without statements expressed as a percentage of all pupils (excluding dually registered pupils).
	(55)Less than 5, or a rate based on less than 5.
	(56)Not applicable.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census.

Special Educational Needs

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of secondary school students are classed as having special educational needs in each local authority which has a city academy.

Jacqui Smith: The requested information is given in the table.
	
		Maintained secondary schools(57): number and percentage of pupils with special educational needs(58)—position in January each year 2004 and 2005 (provisional). Local education authority areas with at least one academy
		
			  Maintained secondary schools 
			  2004 2005 (provisional)(59) 
			  Pupils with statements of SEN Pupils with SEN without statements Pupils with statements of SEN Pupils with SEN without statements 
			  Number Percentage(60) Number Percentage(61) Number Percentage(60) Number Percentage(61) 
		
		
			 England 78,487 2.4 450,122 13.5 75,700 2.3 468,900 14.3 
			 All LEAs with academies 3,535 2.3 26,440 17.4 5,163 2.3 38,023 16.6 
			 204 Hackney (62)— (62)— (62)— (62)— 160 2.2 1,430 19.7 
			 208 Lambeth (62)— (62)— (62)— (62)— 120 2.3 1,400 26.1 
			 210 Southwark 331 3.3 2,838 28.3 310 3.1 2,770 26.9 
			 302 Barnet (62)— (62)— (62)— (62)— 430 2.3 2,760 14.7 
			 303 Bexley 363 2.0 2,504 13.9 340 1.9 2,570 14.7 
			 304 Brent 387 2.4 2,206 13.8 320 2.0 2,090 13.0 
			 307 Ealing 314 2.1 2,927 19.6 330 2.2 3,040 20.2 
			 309 Haringey 285 2.5 2,760 24.6 310 2.7 2,430 21.2 
			 312 Hillingdon (62)— (62)— (62)— (62)— 420 2.4 2,090 12.0 
			 335 Walsall 538 2.5 2,637 12.3 460 2.2 2,730 12.9 
			 352 Manchester 548 2.3 3,848 16.3 590 2.5 3,810 16.0 
			 801 Bristol, City of 468 2.8 3,006 18.0 380 2.3 2,660 16.4 
			 806 Middlesbrough 201 3.5 983 16.9 200 3.6 1,070 18.9 
			 892 Nottingham 100 0.7 2,731 19.6 100 0.7 2,780 20.1 
			 928 Northamptonshire (62)— (62)— (62)— (62)— 1,130 2.5 8,230 18.1 
		
	
	(57)Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(58)Excludes dually registered pupils.
	(59)Provisional figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	(60)The number of pupils with statements of SEN expressed as a percentage of all pupils (excluding dually registered pupils).
	(61)The number of pupils with SEN without statements expressed as a percentage of all pupils (excluding dually registered pupils).
	(62)Not applicable, no academies in the LEA.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Specialist Schools

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the progress of schools in acquiring specialist school status.

Jacqui Smith: To date, about 69 per cent. of all maintained secondary schools are designated as specialist schools (2,176 schools, including 24 special schools). We expect about 80 per cent. of all maintained secondary schools to be specialist by September 2006. As set out in the Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners, published in July last year, we intend that every school which is up to standard should be a specialist school.

Specialist Schools

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects schools to take on a second specialism; and when she expects (a) to bring forward legislation and (b) to issue guidance on this.

Jacqui Smith: In the Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners, published in July last year, we set out our proposals for high performing specialist schools to be able to take on leading roles. There are currently 69 specialist schools with a second specialism. Legislation is not required as specialist school designation is not a statutory requirement. Details about further opportunities for specialist schools to take on a second specialism will be published in due course.

Synthetic Phonics

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on her announcement on 3 June of an independent review into the role of synthetic phonics in teaching reading in primary schools;
	(2)  if she will list the people who will conduct the independent review of the role of synthetic phonics in teaching reading in primary schools headed by Mr. Jim Rose.

Jacqui Smith: The National Literacy Strategy, combined with developments in the Foundation Stage, have transformed the nature of teaching, learning and achievement in primary schools over the last seven years. Compared to 1997, around 96,000 more children each year are being helped to reach the expected reading level for their age.
	The Strategy have continually evolved to ensure that it benefits from the latest developments in this area, and the time is now right to renew the literacy framework, to accelerate and build on this success. Synthetic phonics is already at the heart of early literacy teaching for every child under the Strategy, and the debate centres not on whether to teach phonics, but how to do so. As part of the renewal of the literacy framework, we have appointed Jim Rose to make recommendations on best practice in the teaching of early reading and synthetic phonics in primary schools and early years settings, covering content and pace of learning. He will also make recommendations on the best support for children with significant literacy difficulties to enable them to catch up with their peers, and the relationship between such targeted intervention programmes with synthetic phonics
	Mr. Rose's recommendations will draw on an examination of both academic research and classroom best practice in schools and early years settings, as well as recent reports by the Education and Skills Select Committee, Ofsted and the Clackmannanshire study. He will provide an interim report in November 2005 and make final recommendations early in the new year. Decisions on who will work alongside him as he conducts his review will be made shortly, in agreement with Mr. Rose.

Teacher Assaults

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will introduce a national register for the recording of assaults committed against teachers by parents and pupils; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Schools are required to report significant injuries to staff resulting from acts of violence to the Health and Safety Executive. In addition, the data my Department collects about exclusions include a reason for each exclusion, with violence to adults as a separately-identified reason. These arrangements strike a sensible balance between gathering data to inform national policy and imposing administrative burdens on schools. It would be wrong to shift the balance towards more work for schools.

Teacher Assaults

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers in Tamworth have been assaulted by pupils in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Teacher Qualifications

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of (a) citizenship and (b) personal, social and health education teachers giving financial literacy lessons at Key Stages 3 and 4 had (i) GCSE or O level, (ii) A level and (iii) degree level qualifications in mathematics in 2003/04.

Jacqui Smith: The Information requested is not available. Information on the post A level qualification in Citizenship and PSHE for those teaching these subjects can be found in tables 24 and 25 of The Statistics of Education, School Workforce in England Volume, 2004 edition, a copy of which have been placed in the House of Commons Library. Alternatively it may be accessed at the following URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000443/index.shtml
	It is a requirement for the attainment of qualified teacher status to have GCSE Mathematics at grade A to C or an equivalent qualification.

Teacher Qualifications

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what qualifications are required of (a) citizenship and (b) personal, social and health education teachers giving financial literacy lessons at Key Stages (i) 3 and (ii) 4.

Jacqui Smith: A programme of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) for Citizenship teachers has been running since September 2000 to gradually grow the number of specialists in the subject; over 850 specialists will have been trained by the end of the current academic year. The ITT courses include a component on financial capability. The Department introduced a national programme for certificating effective Continuing Professional Development in PSHE in 2000, which provides the framework for teachers to improve their classroom practice in financial education. The Department is currently piloting a similar programme for citizenship teachers in three centres in England.

Truancy (Yorkshire)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in the East Riding of Yorkshire played truant from school in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested on the number of pupils that missed at least a half day due to unauthorised absence in schools in the East Riding of Yorkshire LEA is as follows.
	
		
			  1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 
		
		
			 Maintained primary and secondary schools  
			 Number absent 6,184 4,641 5,761 5,750 5,104 
			 As percentage of pupils of compulsory school age 14.0 10.4 12.8 12.7 11.5 
			 Maintained primary schools  
			 Number absent 2,013 1,766 1,956 1,725 1,759 
			 As percentage of pupils of compulsory school age 8.3 7.2 8.1 7.1 7.5 
			 Maintained secondary schools  
			 Number absent 4,171 2,875 3,805 4,025 3,345 
			 As percentage of pupils of compulsory school age 21.0 14.3 18.3 19.2 16.0 
		
	
	Unauthorised absence includes other forms of absence such as lateness, holidays during term time not authorised by the school, absence where reason is not yet established and truancy.

University Students

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of students admitted to university to read (a) mathematics, (b) sciences and (c) modern foreign languages were from (i) grammar schools, (ii) state schools and (iii) independent schools in each of the last 10 years.

Bill Rammell: The latest available information is shown in the table. Comparable information for the intervening years is not held centrally by the Department. Although the majority of full-time undergraduates apply through UCAS, a small proportion, mostly mature students, apply direct to institutions and will therefore be excluded from the figures in the table, as will part-time students who are also not covered by UCAS application scheme.
	
		Previous school type of accepted applicants to full-time undergraduate courses at UK institutions by subject
		
			  Year of entry 
			  1994 2004 
			  Numbers Percentage(66) Numbers Percentage(66) 
		
		
			 Mathematical sciences(67)  
			 Grammar 905 6.3 985 5.6 
			 Maintained schools(68) 4,820 33.2 6,920 39.0 
			 Independent 1,135 7.8 1,055 6.0 
			 Other(69) 7,645 52.7 8,760 49.4 
			 Total known 14,505 100.0 17,725 100.0 
			 Unknown 2,645 — 4,440 — 
			 Total 17,150 — 22,165 — 
			  
			 Sciences(70) 
			 Grammar 2,875 8.6 3,005 7.2 
			 Maintained schools(68) 13,060 39.1 19,110 45.9 
			 Independent 4,800 14.4 4,840 11.6 
			 Other(69) 12,650 37.9 14,690 34.8 
			 Total known 33,385 100.0 41,650 100.0 
			 Unknown 4,250 — 7,700 — 
			 Total 37,635 — 49,350 — 
			  
			 Modern Foreign Languages(71) 
			 Grammar 385 10.5 510 10.4 
			 Maintained schools(68) 1,165 32.0 1,970 40.4 
			 Independent 1,005 27.6 1,380 28.3 
			 Other(69) 1,085 29.8 1,015 20.8 
			 Total known 3,635 100.0 4,875 100.0 
			 Unknown 595 — 665 — 
			 Total 4,230 — 5,540 — 
		
	
	(66)Percentages based on those students who recorded their previous school/college. Component percentages may not sum to totals because of rounding.
	(67)Includes mathematics, statistics, and computer science/studies.
	(68)Includes former grant maintained schools.
	(69)Includes students from FE sector institutions.
	(70)Includes biological, veterinary and physical sciences, and combined sciences.
	(71)Includes European and non-European modern languages.
	Source:
	Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). UCAS covers all HE institutions in the UK as well as FE colleges with significant HE provision. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Tuition Fees

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the maximum level of financial support available to undergraduates at higher education institutions in England from (a) low, (b) medium and (c) high income backgrounds will be from 2006.

Bill Rammell: The level of financial support available will depend on a number of things including the level of fees being charged by the higher education institution and the circumstances of the individual student.
	But, whatever their circumstances, from 2006 students will not have to pay tuition fees while they are studying. Instead, all students will be able to take out a loan to cover their fees; that loan will not be based on income.
	In addition, new students with household incomes between £16,000 and £33,000 will be eligible for the new non-repayable maintenance grant of up to £2,700. Institutions wishing to charge fees of the maximum £3,000 will have to provide a minimum institutional bursary of £300 to students entitled to the full £2,700 maintenance grant; many institutions will be offering much more than this.
	The arrangements for repayment of maintenance and fee loans are fair and equitable. The graduate's repayments are at zero real rate of interest, related directly to earnings and only required when earnings are greater than £15,000 per year.

Tuition Fees

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was raised through student tuition fees in Hammersmith and Fulham constituency in (a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) 2004.

Bill Rammell: Students on full-time undergraduate courses and their families are expected to make a contribution towards the cost of their tuition only if they can afford to do so. The amount of the contribution depends on family income.
	The amount of private contributions to tuition fees by students from Hammersmith and Fulham, and England and Wales for academic year 2004/05 are given in the table.
	
		Private contribution to tuition fees in Hammersmith and Fulham, and England and Wales for academic year 2004/05
		
			 Academic year 2004/05(72) £ million 
		
		
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0.8 
			 England and Wales 424.7 
		
	
	(72)Provisional (as at 8 June 2005)
	Source:
	Student Loans Company
	Private contributions to tuition fees were introduced in 1998/99 therefore no data are available for academic year 1997/98.
	Up to 2002/03, data were collected from LEAs to produce national estimates and the data collection exercise did not allow for the production of firm figures below this level; data at local education authority or regional level are therefore not available for 2001/02.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Senior Clergy

Michael Fabricant: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on the availability and number of qualified clergy for senior clerical positions within the Church of England.

Stuart Bell: There are always clergy available for senior appointment in the Church of England. It is hard to measure the number of qualified clergy in general terms as the requirement of particular posts and its context determine what skills, attributes and experience are sought.

Residential Sales

David Taylor: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what safeguards for existing tenants are sought before decisions by the Commissioners to sell the freehold of residential properties are taken.

Stuart Bell: The Commissioners have reassured tenants that this is a sale of the freehold only and does not affect the terms of their tenancies.